Enchanting, educational and inspirational this is a fabulous new Sydney ‘attraction’ for all the family that opened just on a month ago ( April 16 2012) . Tourists and Sydney-siders alike love it.
Based at Darling Harbour, right next to the Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World it is very easy to get to – right at the ferry, or a short walk from Town Hall station. The closest monorail stop is Darling Park. It is the Cockle Bay side of Darling Harbour, not the Entertainment Centre/Convention Centre/Tumbalong Park side. Make a day of it and combine your ticket in a pass with the Aquarium, the Wildlife world, the Eye etc. Much enthralling fun!
The customer service for the Madame Tussauds experience is excellent, the team are terrific and very informative, friendly and helpful. My personal guide was Sally. The ‘figures’ are amazing, so real you would swear they are about to move and speak. The detail is incredible with attention to earrings, watches, cufflinks, bracelets and tiny hidden features too.
At the moment there are about 75 figures here in Sydney ranging from sports stars to political figures, movie stars, famous scientists and so on. The total area of the display is about 1,800 metres square. For each figure there is an identifying plaque with biographical information and also the year(s) of the sittings.
We learn about the history of Madame Tussauds – in 1789 Madame Tuusaud made impressions of the heads of people executed in the French Revolution. In the early 1800’s she toured all over the UK with her figures, moving into the now legendary rooms at Baker Street in 1835. It is now a worldwide business with displays in Vienna, Shanghai, Amsterdam, Hollywood and elsewhere. The London headquarters displays about 300 figures.
Another fascinating section is where we see how the figures are made and there is a short documentary with commentary by Danni Minogue. It takes about three to four months for each figure. Masses of photos and about 250 measurements are taken before a marquette is made and casting begins. Every hair is applied individually. You can have a wax cast made of your hand . Great Fun!
When we enter the venue, the fist person we meet is famous surfer Layne Beachley and you can have your photo taken surfing with her! There is a fun emphasis throughout on being interactive – for instance you can direct Hoges in ‘Crocodile Dundee’ ( hear the growl ! ) you can wear a hat , look through a telescope and turn the ship’s wheel when meeting Captai .James Cook, hear the scream for Alfred Hitchcock, putt with Greg Norman, wear flying goggles and an aviator helmet with ‘Smithy and play music with Jimmy Barnes and John Farnham ! There is also a most exciting tennis match and you can be umpire. You can drive Mark Webber’s car! Ascend the Olympic podium! Have lunch with Audrey Hepburn! You can also be photographed accepting a Logie or an Oscar if you wish .
Australian history is also featured – there is a sobering Truganini, also Eddie Mabo and others important in Aboriginal history. Plus Henry Parkes and you can also met ‘Ned’ Kelly and wear his armour! There is also St Mary McKillop, ‘Banjo ‘Patterson, Henry Lawson, Cathy Freeman and John Howard among others. You can meet both Kylie and Danni Minogue, spectacular Guy Pearce in ‘Priscilla , Queen of the Desert’ and Barry Humphries as Dame Edna (wonderfully glitzy possums! ).
There are movie quizzes and also a quiz in the Scientist section – Einstein, Fred Hollows and Victor Chang are featured and you can pose as if doing an operation and looking at xrays .
In the’ World Leaders’ area along with Nelson Mandela, Ghandi etc there are ‘books’ with information about various countries and you can have your photo taken with her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 (note the crown and the throne procession music) .You can also be photographed news-reading and interviewing Julia Gillard , and give orders on the phone at the White House as President Barrack Obama looks on! Another very popular photo is with Hu Jintao, China’s leader.
You can have much fun in the TV Studio area with Rolf Harris, Rove, Grahame Kennedy and others. Be interviewed by Oprah Winfrey!
In the red carpet/A list section yes you can meet Johnny Depp, Cate Blanchett, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie , Nicole Kidman , Elle , Bruce Willis, Lady Gaga and others .
There is a special set up for you to have your photo taken by staff with Her Majesty and/or Obama , which is available at the exit ( about $20). Plus there is also lots of all sorts of other things to buy like keyrings, tshirts, mugs and so on, and not forgetting the engraving on your Oscar! . The booklet guide is a must and a snap at only $5.
There are no cafes or restaurants specifically as part of the venue –although they do cater for special events – but there are several virtually next door.. Toilets are included as part of the venue and are also located near the main steps a little walk away.
You can spend hours and hours here! With something (one) for everyone the whole family will have a great time. Well worth repeated visits.
For more info visit http://www.madametussauds.com/Sydney/Default.aspx
© Lynne Lancaster
17th May, 2012
Sydney Reviews- Madame Tussaud’s Sydney exhibition, Darling Harbour, Sydney Arts Guide, Lynne Lancaster.