Madame Tussaud's

Written by Norm Katz

London's number one attraction, Madame Tussaud's, has been visited by over 200 million visitors since it began 200 years ago. Currently, over 2.5 million people a year visit Madame Tussaud's, mingling with celebrities of all types, from sports heroes like Muhammad Ali to Hollywod celebrities like Marilyn Monroe to models like Naomi Campbell and politicians like Bill Clinton.

Inside Madame Tussaud's

THE GARDEN PARTY provides an English country garden setting to mingle with stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, cheeky designer Jean Paul Gaultier and Hollywood The Beatles

tough guy Samuel L. Jackson. SPORTING LEGENDS allows you to get up close and personal with some of the greatest sports heroes like ice skating champions Torvill and Dean, gymnast Olga Korbut and track star Daley Thompson. 200 YEARS gives a startling living presentation of the history of Madame Tussaud's with original artifacts from the French Revolution and the 18th century figure of the "breathing" Sleeping Beauty. HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS AND SUPERSTARS captures Hollywood silver screen idols like Marlon Brando to current mega stars like Sly Stalloe. THE GRAND HALL brings together the world's great politicians, statesmen and artists of modern and ancient times in sumptuous surroundings that rival the most awesome stately home. The good, the bad and the ugly are all here, from Princess Diana and Nelson Mandela to Saddam Hussein. THE CHAMBER OF HORRORS brings 500 years The Royal Family

of crime and punishment to life with authentic sound and visual effects. From the French Revolution to Victorian London and 20th Century serial killers, eerily life like figures and realistic settings will send tingles and chills up and down your spine. THE SPIRIT OF LONDON whisks visitors through a spectacular time ride through 400 years of London life from the Great Fire to Wren's London to the swinging sixties. TUSSAUD'S LONDON PLANETARIUM moves visitors through an inter-galactic trek across the universe. In the Space Station areas, the mysteries of the cosmos unfold with interactive demonstrations, displays and scale models. In the famous domed auditorium, the world leading Digitar II star projector presents the wonders of the galaxy.

Madame Tussaud's Facts, Figures and History

It takes six months, hundreds of precise measurements, 2,400 lbs of wax Museums and Galleries

and $45,000 to make each of Madame Tussaud's wax portraits. Before modern times when news was communicated largely by word of mouth, Madame Tussaud's exhibition was a kind of traveling newspaper providing an insight into international events and bringing people face to face with people in the headlines. Madame Tussaud, originally named Marie Grosholtz, was born in 1761 into the family of an ordinary housekeeper; but rose to become a Royal Tutor, master model maker and thriving businesswoman. Madame Tussaud was imprisoned during the French Revolution, made death masks of executed nobles, inherited Phillippe Curtius' wax exhibition and for the first time took her exhibition on tour in the British Isles in 1795.

Location and Hours of Operation

Madame Tussaud's is located on Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LR. It is open all year except Christmas Day from 10 a.m. during the week and from 9:30 a.m. weekends and during school holidays. Last admission is 5:30 p.m. Prices: Combined Madame Tussaud's and Tussaud's London Planetarium tickets: Adults 13.45 Pounds, children (under 16) 9.00 Pounds.

For more information call Madame Tussaud's in London at 0870 400 3000.