Oh the deception! (Madame Tussauds)

Member Name: sparky44

Product:	Madame Tussauds
Date:	22/10/01 (433 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Loads to see., Makes a morning of entertainment.

Disadvantages: Bit pricey., Bland food., Queuing

I have just had a lovely trip to London for my anniversary, and the main object of the trip was to be taken round as many attractions as possible by my lovely boyfriend, since I hadn't seen ANY previously.

To be honest, Madame Tussauds was not first on the list, since I thought there would be loads of tourists queuing for hours to get in. Even in October, there were a few camera clicking mentalists forming a queue that was about 100 meters long. As an Aries, I'm particularly impatient; my boyfriend suggested that we go to the Planetarium first because you can walk straight through the building to Madame Tussauds without having to re queue. Nice!

So having made a well spent 1/2 hour detour in the Planetarium, we walked into the most wonderful sight. Ian Botham confronted us as we walked through the door and just as I was about to say hello, I realised where I was. Along with what seemed like several hundred other people!

There are new additions to the 'museum' all the time, so it was nice to see a new Kylie on stage with Jane Horrocks in her 'Little Voice' get up, only to look up and find a flying David Copperfield.

To one side, there are two talking heads, both Lenny Henry's saying a script that lasts about a minute. Great if you have a memory of a goldfish but... hold on, where am I?!

The next room has a few more sporting figures, including an extremely tired looking Martina Navratilova. And then you walk through part of the workshop, mainly containing heads of politicians on spikes. Oh the irony.

The best room by far is the movie star room where, if you're not careful (or maybe lucky, depending on your taste) you'll bump into Mel Gibson who's right behind the door. Harrison Ford is still in his Indiana Jones persona; probably time for a remodel there guys.

TRICKERY

On your way out of this room, you will find Nicholas Cage looking particularly fine and
a lovely lady trying to take a picture of him. There is quite a lot of this going on, and you could probably make it through in half the time if people didn't keep getting in the way with their picture taking. 5 mins later, my boyfriend and I, plus about 5 other people suddenly realised that the lady taking the photograph was also a waxwork! B*******s!

The following room contains politicians and historical figures. Everyone from Ghandi and the current President Bush to Madame Tussaud herself are featured in this room; plus several unknown Queen; and Presidents from around the world are featured. And then you stumble upon the Beatles. Somewhat out of place in this room methinks, but then it has just been moved from Rock Circus that has suddenly ceased trading.

Just when you think it's all over, you go into their Chambers of Horrors, which is extremely dark. Even those with excellent eyesight would have trouble seeing where they're going. But this just adds to the scary effect! It's full of much less famous faces, although my boyfriend who has a history degree recognised a few.

There is an overpriced, dank looking cafe before the Chambers of Horrors if you're feeling a bit parched, and there's plenty of games for kids if they're getting bored.

The shop at the end of Madame Tussauds is probably great fun if you want a souvenir because there are sooooo many to choose from. But if you get want to get out and go to your next destination it's rather annoying. Surprisingly, this is where the signposting stops and you have to wander round aimlessly for 10 mins before you can find you way out.

Overall, it makes a lovely morning out, but I advise that you bring a camera to picture yourself alongside the realistic waxworks. My only concern is for those in wheelchairs; there are many stairs within the 'museum' and I have seen no sign of a lift within the whole of my time there. Probably worth ch
ecking out before you go.

There is something for everyone here and you're bound to have great fun laughing at yourself after finding that the person you've been waiting for to take a picture is actually a waxwork!

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