It was a terrible event that was poorly planned, way too expensive and ultimately a big downer, attendees said.
But was it as bad as that other terrible event that was poorly planned, way too expensive and ultimately a big downer?
Let’s take a closer look at Detroit’s Bridgerton Ball, which thoroughly disappointed its hundreds of attendees on Sunday, and compare it to the ne plus ultra of badly themed events-gone-wrong, the Willy Wonka “Chocolate Experience” in Glasgow in February. In the end, which event left attendees more bored, angry and ripped off? You be the judge.
The Promise
For $150 a ticket, attendees of the Detroit Bridgerton-Themed Ball could attend “an evening of sophistication, grace, and historical charm,” according to the event’s website. “Experience a night like no other filled with music, dance, and exquisite costumes.”
The event piggybacked off the popular TV series, which spins romantic yarns set in high society England of the early 1800s.
“We were going to have classical music, good dinner. There was going to be a play,” Amanda Sue Mathis told WXYZ-TV in Detroit. “They were going to pick Diamond of the Season,” she said, referring to an award in the series that gets presented to the most eligible lady.
Eager attendees at Glasgow’s Wonka event — who paid 35 pounds, or about $45, per ticket — were promised chocolate fountains, performances by Oompa Loompas and interactive experiences.
What more could one ask for?
The Reality
Detroit Bridgerton fans expected stunning décor, polite society and most of all, glamorous ladies.
Instead, they got a pole dancer in a bikini. What could have more “sophistication, grace, and historical charm?”
“There is nothing going on,” Ms. Mathis told the Detroit outlet. “They have a pole in the middle of the dance floor. A stripper pole in the middle of the dance floor.”
Pictures from the event showed attendees sitting on the floor checking their phones with little else to do. They also showed cheap backdrops, when there was décor at all.
“Every backdrop looks like it came from Party City,” said one TikTok user who uses the handle Moreofnita, voicing her disappointment while still dressed in her Regency outfit.
No Diamond of the Season was chosen, and a supposed prize for best costume also didn’t materialize, attendees said. The food was poor and limited, they said, and the music consisted of one violinist and some speakers improbably cranking music by the rapper Soulja Boy.
“Exquisite costumes” had been promised. Well, the attendees did their part, showing up looking like the stars of the series.
“We spent extra money on costumes, all of this beautiful beading, getting our hair done, our nails done for this to be the way that it is,” Ms. Mathis said.
The facility was crowded and hot, attendees said. No one picked up used plates. And some servers were wearing sports jerseys and other casual wear.
Moreofnita, the TikTok user, summed it up: “It’s not giving Bridgerton.”
As for the Wonka event, Stuart Sinclair told The New York Times in February, “There was maybe 20 chairs, a couple of tables and a half-inflated bouncy castle.”
“The children got two jelly beans each,” he said. “And then they got a half a cup of lemonade.”
Oompa Loompas, the memorable characters from the Wonka book and films, were thin on the ground. “They gave us a script the night before,” Kirsty Paterson. one of those hired for the part, told Good Morning Britain. “There was no direction,” said another Oompa Loompa, Jenny Fogarty.
On the plus side, Ms. Paterson said “We were quite well paid.”
The Reaction
“You all really low-key scammed these people,” Moreofnita said in her video. “We’re not watching the same Bridgerton show.”
“It was really disappointing, and we were all really angry about it, Camerin Morey told WXYZ. “They either had no idea what they were doing or just didn’t care and had no problem just taking people’s money. I think we should absolutely get refunds.”
Ms. Mathis said: “It’s heartbreaking. We got a limo for this, did all these things, and, basically, got an empty building.”
The reaction to the Wonka event was similar: “As soon as they walked in the door, they were like, ‘Wow,’ just shaking their heads and totally in disbelief of how bad it was,” Mr. Sinclair said.
The Aftermath
The Bridgerton event was run by Uncle and Me, a local event management company. It was not affiliated with Netflix, or an authorized “Bridgerton Experience” that has toured the country.
The company did not respond to a request for comment but told WXYZ: “We understand that not everyone had the experience they hoped for at our most recent event Sunday night at the Harmonie Club, and for that, we sincerely apologize. Our intention was to provide a magical evening, but we recognize that organizational challenges affected the enjoyment of some guests. We take full responsibility and accountability for these shortcomings.”
“We are reviewing resolution options, which will be communicated shortly.”
And the Wonka event organizer, House of Illuminati, said in a statement at the time that it recognized the event was a disappointment and that the company should have canceled it. “We fully apologize for what has happened and will be giving full refunds to each and every person that purchased tickets,” it promised.
Two bracing cautionary tales to remember the next time someone offers an immersive dive into a favorite movie or show.
The post They Were Promised a Charming ‘Bridgerton’ Ball. They Got a Pole Dance. appeared first on New York Times.
