The Narnia Experience in Bootle has responded to comparisons with Glasgow's infamous Willy Wonka event, reaffirming its commitment to providing positive experiences for families and children. Organisers say they remain undeterred in delivering a quality theatrical production.
Event Details and Background
The walk-through theatrical production, presented by In Another Place, opened at Bootle Strand Shopping Centre on October 17 and runs until November 7. It marks the return of the experience after a nine-year hiatus, bringing C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to life.
Audiences are guided through a wintery forest in the land of Narnia, meeting characters including Mr Tumnus, Mrs Beaver and the White Witch. Visitors can choose between two trails, following either Lucy's journey or Edmund's path, with each route revealing different scenes and perspectives from the classic tale.
History and Public Response
The experience originally debuted in 2009 at Old Christ Church in Waterloo, later appearing at St George's Hall in 2011 and 2013, before returning in February 2017. Tickets start from £5.
Social media comparisons to Glasgow's Willy Wonka experience, which went viral as a "disaster" in February 2024, have been dismissed by organisers. A spokesperson said: "We are a community theatre company made up of volunteers from every age and background, including those with additional needs. We provide a place where people can find purpose and form friendships."
The spokesperson added: "Our props and sets are made and designed by volunteers in our regular weekly workshops and we pride ourselves on creating things from repurposed materials. We won a Liverpool Tourism Award for one of our previous events and our use of recycled materials was sited as one of the reasons for the award."
Public Defences and Future Plans
Many members of the public have defended the event. On Instagram, Vanessa Bullocks said: "I don't think it's fair to pick on little local things that are being honest about what they are." Lauren Buckley commented: "Nothing wrong with it?? Can tell a lot of effort and time has gone into this, not to mention training the actors too."
Lizzy Meehan said: "For a family with little kids on a tight budget it looks like a nice thing to do. Comparing it to Willy Wonka, that was marketed and sold as something far grander, is completely unfair." Another person remarked: "Fiver in a local shopping centre. Something nice for the kids a bit like s***** Santa Grottos we all went to. Why people expect it to be The Odyssey I have no idea."
The organisers said: "This really is an experience you have to see for yourself. There are still tickets available so don't miss out." Tickets can be purchased online.
