Madame Tussauds London, Wax museum in Marylebone, London, England
Madame Tussauds London occupies a building on Marylebone Road, entered beneath a large dome clad in pale green rectangular panels, with a dark brown band and a red strip carrying gold cursive lettering above the door. Inside, wax figures of historical figures, film and television characters, athletes and politicians stand in themed galleries, among them the Chamber of Horrors that appeared in advertising from 1843. The oldest figure on display is Madame du Barry, modelled by Philippe Curtius in 1765.
Marie Tussaud opened her first permanent wax exhibition in London in 1835, having previously travelled across Europe showing her collection in different cities. The exhibition quickly attracted a wide audience and soon became a fixed institution in the cultural life of the city.
Visitors move among wax replicas of actors, athletes, heads of state and musicians, with figures arranged by theme so that each gallery develops its own atmosphere. Families and tourists regularly pose for photographs beside the figures, creating memories of their encounter with personalities from film, politics or sport.
The galleries open daily, with a visit in the morning or late afternoon reducing the crowds that often form around midday and early afternoon. The nearest underground station Baker Street is a few minutes' walk away and makes reaching the place considerably easier.
Each wax figure requires measurement of around 250 body parts so that the finished sculpture matches the real person in size and proportion. The eyes are made from acrylic and individually painted, while real hair is inserted strand by strand into the scalp to achieve a lifelike impression.
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