Contents
I. Introduction
II. The amazing life and times of Madame Tussaud
III. Madame Tussauds Waxworks Museums Around the World
IV. Who is else?
V. Conclusion
VI. Bibliography
Introduction
Madam Tussaud’s is the most popular and talked about wax museum in the world. There
are wax models of the famous and infamous, both living and dead, from every walk life.
Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Marilyn Monro, Michael Jakson, Alfred
Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, the British Royal family, Bill Clinton, Jack the Ripper…
There is no other place where you can see all the celebrities at once, even if they are
only wax figes.
The museum is situated in Marylebone Road , not far from the street which is famous as the
home of the first great detective in fiction, Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.
There’s usually a long queue in front of the museum. No wonder! Many tourists would
consider their trip to London worthless if they didn’t visit the famous Madam
Tussaud’s.
There are several halls at Madam Tussaud’s. Highlights include the Grand Hall, the
Chamber of Horrors and “The Spirit of London” exhibition.
The wax figures are standing and sitting, and sometimes even moving and talking.
They are extremely realistic and when they look at you, their eyes sparkling, you often
feel uncomfortable in their company. Computer controlled figures are especially popular
with the visitors.
Over the years hundreds of celebrities have made their way to Madame Tussaud`s studio.
Most people agree to be portrayed, but some refuse. Mother Teresa was one of the few who
declined, saying her work was important, not her person.
Through talent and determination, a young girl named Marie Grosholz came to be numbered
among the most famous of English institutions.
The amazing life and times of Madam Tussaud
Marie Grosholz was born in Strasbourg, France, on December 16, 1761. Her father, a
soldier, was killed in a battle during the Seven Years War, only two months before her
birth. For the first five years of her life, Marie grew up in Berne with her mother – a
widow, who worked as a housekeeper for Marie's uncle – Dr Philippe Curtius. Her live was
hard and difficult, because her mother had a lot of work and didn't have time for
daughter. Dr Curtius taught Marie, how to model in wax.
Soon, Marie and her mother moved with Doctor Curtius to Paris, where he founded his own
wax museum. Dr Curtius acted as a tutor to Marie, schooling her in the techniques of wax
portraiture and casting. She met many famous people, among them were Francois Voltaire,
Benjamin Franklin and Jean Jacques Rousseau. In this way, she gained experience.
Curtius' exhibition was so successful it became patronised by the French royal family. It
was not long before Marie's talent became apparent and she was invited to the royal court
to assist in the artistic education of King Louis XVI's sister, Madame Elizabeth.
Since 1780 she worked, as an art Teacher for her.
In 1789, after the revolution started, Dr Curtius moved Marie to Paris once again.
During the French Revolution, Marie and her mother were imprisoned and almost lost their
live. They sharing a cell with Josephine de Beauharnais, who later became the Empress
Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Marie was made to take death masks from the heads of famous people, who had been
guillotined, including King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette.
She was very daring and patient.
In 1794, Curtius died and Marie inherited the business, which had grown under her
influence. It was a big responsibility.
In the next year she married an engineer, Francois Tussaud, and by 1800 she had two sons
and a daughter, which died.
France was still suffering enormous deprivation and Marie's exhibition was struggling to
survive. In 1802 Marie Tussaud made decision. She left her husband and baby son, Francis,
in Paris, while she and her elder son, Joseph, would tour were travelly with exhibition
round the British Isles. That was great a sacrifice on the part of her.
Marie was to see neither France and her husband again. She spent the next 33 years
travelling the British Isles, exhibiting her growing collection of figures. During this
time Francis, who had been looked after by Madame Tussaud's mother in France. When, in
1826, Madame Grosholtz died, Francis joined his mother and brother on the road in Britain.
In 1822 a ship carrying the exhibition to Ireland was wrecked; fortunately, however, most
of the figures were saved.
The travels ended in 1835, when Madame Tussaud's exhibition found a permanent home.
She died, on April 16, 1850, at the age of 89.
Madame Tussauds Waxworks Museums Around the World
Presently, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum stands on the London’s Marylebone Road, as
it was shifted from its prior location which underwent a severe loss in 1925 due to fire.
The museum attracts monster queues during peak tourist seasons where the lines easily
extend for blocks. Since 1970, a rapid expansion was done by the museum which encompasses
locations in Amsterdam, Las Vegas, New York City, Hong Kong, Washington DC, Shanghai and
Hollywood. The museum primarily exhibits thousands of replicas of prominent personalities
that include people from a variety of occupations. Besides, the themed sections and the
Chamber of Horrors are also worth a mention.
Madame Tussauds, historically associated with London, is the most famous name associated
with wax museums. In 1835 Madame Tussaud established her first permanent exhibition in
London's Baker Street.
Other famous people were added to the exhibition, including Horatio Nelson, and Sir Walter
Scott. Some of the sculptures done by Marie Tussaud herself still exist. The gallery
originally contained some 400 different figures, but fire damage in 1925, coupled with
German bombs in 1941, has rendered most of these older models defunct. The casts
themselves have survived (allowing the historical waxworks to be remade), and these can be
seen in the museum's history exhibit. In 1842 made a self portrait which is now on display
at the entrance of her museum. She died in her sleep on 15 April 1850.
"Royal London Wax Museum originally opened 1961 in a street level location of the Crystal Garden at the corner of Belleville and Douglas. It was at a time when the Crystal Garden housed Canada's largest salt water swimming pool. With floor space of about six thousand square feet and initially displaying some fifty wax figures, this attraction established North America's first exhibition of Tussaud wax figures from England. North America's first Josephine Tussaud wax museum remains the "flagship" establishment on this continent, and is a major contributor to the City of Victoria's image and reputation as "A Little Bit of Olde England."
This museum is the heart of Manhattan’s Clinton neighborhood. Located at 234 West
42nd Street, this museum exemplifies the spirit of New York City. Madame Tussaud's Wax
Museum is a New York City museum that may appeal to both locals and visitors alike. Close
proximity to a museum gives a touch of culture to apartments for sale in Manhattan.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Bangkok
Madame Tussauds Bangkok is no old-fashioned wax museum. For the entertainment value and a chance to rub shoulders with world celebrities, heads of state, activists, sports heroes and heroines, legendary artists, and even royalty, the museum is worth checking out.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum – Washington DC
At Madame Tussauds Wax Museum visitors experience Washington, DC’s history from the Founding Fathers to modern day politics. The new gallery includes additional historical figures that were previously on display featuring them in chronological order along with the 44 Presidents. Such figures include Benjamin Franklin, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, J. Edgar Hoover and Martin Luther King Jr., among others.
Who is else?
From KGB
Lieutenant to President of Russia in just eight years, Putin is arguably the most powerful
man in the world after George Bush. Under his eight year watch, he has restored order to
his country and seen the Russian economy bounce back and has clamped down on the political
ambitions of the oligarchs. With four out of five of his countrymen in favour of his
presidency, he remains the most popular politician in Russia.
Madame Tussaud's to immortalize Russian hockey star in wax
The Washington branch of the Madame Tussaud's wax museum is making a wax statue of the Russian NHL star Alexander Ovechkin, the museum said in its Twitter blog. Ovechkin will be the second hockey player to be honored with a wax figure after Canadian star Wayne Gretzky.
Conclusion
Millions and millions of people have flocked through the doors of Madame Tussauds since
they first opened over 200 years ago and it remains just as popular as it ever was. There
are many reasons for this enduring success, but at the heart of it all is good,
old-fashioned curiosity. Anna Maria Grosholtz Tussaud, the lady who started a worldwide
wax exhibition empire.Madame Tussaud's wax museum has now grown to become one of the major
tourist attractions in London, and has expanded with branches in Amsterdam, Hong Kong
(Victoria Peak), Las Vegas, Shanghai, Berlin, Washington D.C.,New York City, and
Hollywood. Over the years Madame Tussaud's has established a reputation for excellence,
constantly updating figures and adding to the collection. 200 Years is an opportunity to
see at first hand some of the developments that have made the name of Madame Tussaud's
synonymous with the best in three-dimensional portraiture.
Today, her official wax works museums, which are all now owned and run by Merlin
Entertainments, and exhibit models of famous film stars, musicians, politicians and
historical figures, are one of the world's biggest tourist attractions, with exhibition
halls now located in 15 major cities around the world.
Bibliography
1. Биболетова М.З. Учебник английского
языка для 5-6 классов общеобразовательных
учреждений. Обнинск, 2010 г.
2. Цветкова И.В. Английский язык для
школьников и поступающих в ВУЗы. Москва, 2003г.
Интернет-ресурсы:
- www.madametussauds.com
- ben.lovett@madame-tussauds.com
- http://www.waxmuseum.bc.ca/