Written by Joseph
Rating: 1
VERIFIED
I have nothing but disappointment to share regarding the recent Wizarding dinner “hosted” in Birmingham on Saturday 21 September 2019. When we booked and paid a substantial fee to take part, we were promised an immersive evening of entertainment, food and activities. In very few ways did this deliver or even resemble the evening that was promised and in even fewer ways did we feel we received value for money. Their own advertisements and pricing expectations were set high and yet spectacularly failed to live up to this hype.
Beginning with the food. This was in no way immersive, not at all linked to the theme and an example of conference food at its worst. I am Gluten Free and at every course I had to double check to make sure I wasn't given the wrong thing, which I was, twice. The food was also being brought by miserable waiters who seemed completely oblivious to the situation they were in. What did come was incredibly small in size and poorly prepared, not at all adding to the evening and if anything setting a negative note from which the evening could not overcome.
Perhaps even starker was the so called entertainment. I imagine those individuals you hired were actors but it was very hard to tell. Rather than magic, lethargy and negativity radiated from them as they forgot their lines, failed to interact and perform ill practiced ’magic’ without success. This was perhaps best demonstrated by their failure to once again turn on the lights during the on again off again sketch. Throughout there was a noted lack of understanding, as if they had been parachuted into roles just that day. Most frustratingly the older gentleman in the hat was poor from the off and was out right offensive and sexist on multiple occasions. To have such a man as your lead shows true poor judgement and a blatant disregard for your audience.
It was a surprise to see such poor magical ability in an event themed for wizards and witches. Swallowing a balloon is not, as I understand it, mystical, nor is juggling 3 balls for 3 minutes while under a light up umbrella. The illusions, while cooperatively more engaging, were poorly thought out for the space meaning only those in the middle of the room could partake or see.
Beyond the performance the games and activities offered little relief from a difficult evening. Those we could undertake were basic and would be considered dull by standards of a church fete and those that were more immersive, such as the tarot reader, involved waiting in a queue for over 30 minutes and then to be told she couldn't see anyone else as the evening was cut short.
Finally, being subjected to a man swallowing swords while trying to eat a main course was bad enough but then he, by his own admission, wretched several times down the microphone, still while guests were eating.
Throughout the evening there was a strong sense they were actively trying to distance your activity from Harry Potter. In truth i suspect if they knew the reality, despite the parallels, Warner Brothers would actively work to seperate themselves from this huge disappointment for their fans.
Overall, a very substandard, disappointing and over priced night which delivered none of the magic it promised. Would not recommend.