New models are being produced all the time while have-beens are quietly removed from display and put into storage. Over the years hundreds of celebrities have made their way to Madame Tussaud's 'stage door' to be received in the private studio where the sculptor makes precise measurements and photographs the subject's head from every possible angle.
Highlights include the Chamber of Horrors which is the home of many notorious figures such as Jack the Ripper and the Grand Hall where you will find all manner of celebs, from Bill Clinton to Michael Jackson and Pavarotti to Mandela. Another highlight is 'The Spirit of London' exhibition which covers a period of more than 400 years and spans London's history from Elizabethan times to the present day, capturing the essence of London's pomp and circumstance.
This photograph shows Joanna Lumley of 'Absolutely Fabulous' fame and a wax model of herself! Which is which?
Sights, sounds and even smells combine to tell the colourful story of Britain's capital city to visitors travelling in cars specially designed to resemble London taxi-cabs but thankfully, without the drivers! Indeed, the cars were actually made by the same company who build real London taxis! Over 70 figures are involved in 'The Spirit of London' many of which are animated and fused with a host of special effects.
Before Madame Tussaud had established herself in London, her collection of wax figures toured all around the country in wagons and caravans. Her macabre collection of relics from the French Revolution, alongside portraits of torturers, villains and murderers, proved irresistible to the visiting public. To protect society ladies of a delicate temperament, the collection of unsavoury characters was kept distinct from the rest of the exhibition in an area known as 'The Separate Room'. In 1846 the satirical magazine, Punch, coined the term 'Chamber of Horrors'.
In today's chamber you will find Jack the Ripper in an eerily realistic reconstruction of one of the narrow streets he stalked, whilst another scene shows the murderer John Christie, in the kitchen of his flat at No.10 Rillington Place, hanging wallpaper to hide the remains of a recent victim! This photograph shows Henry the Eighth and wives.
Open every day of the year except Christmas day, it should take you about two hours to get around the whole place. Adjoining Madame Tussaud's is the London Planetarium. If you want to make a day of it you can buy a combined ticket for both Tussauds and the Planetarium but beware that children under 5 are not admitted to the Planetarium. Prices for combined tickets at the time of going to press are as follows:
Adults ú11.25. Children (under 16) ú6.95. Senior Citizens ú8.50. Family Ticket ú29.45.