Louis Tussaud's Waxworks, Blackpool

...oldest attractions in Blackpool namely Louis Tussauds waxworks. There has been waxworks in Blackpool since the 1870`s but Louis Tussaud arrived in 1900 from London, he had held exhibitions in London but had never actually had a gallery of his own. Louis is the great grandson of the famous Madame Tussaud many people still call the waxworks Madame Tussauds as it is many other places but Blackpool's waxworks has always been Louis tussauds.

...to the Hippodrome theatre and moved more than once before taking over the building opposite the central pier where it stands today. It has changed so much over the years parts of it for the better and parts for the worse but one things for sure its a great way to spend a couple of hours or more.

The waxworks is split into many parts including, celeb city, rock factory, the chamber of horrors and many more. My personal favourite is ... more

On Blackpool's promenade opposite the central pier stands one of the oldest attractions in Blackpool namely Louis Tussauds waxworks. There has been waxworks in Blackpool since the 1870`s but Louis Tussaud arrived in 1900 from London, he had held exhibitions in London but had never actually had a gallery of his own. Louis is the great grandson of the famous Madame Tussaud many people still call the waxworks Madame Tussauds as it is many other places but Blackpool's waxworks has always been Louis tussauds.

Louis originally opened his waxworks in a basement belonging to the Hippodrome theatre and moved more than once before taking over the building opposite the central pier where it stands today. It has changed so much over the years parts of it for the better and parts for the worse but one things for sure its a great way to spend a couple of hours or more.

The waxworks is split into many parts including, celeb city, rock factory, the chamber of horrors and many more. My personal favourite is the chamber of horrors although it has diminished over the years, where once stood actual rein-actions of famous murder scenes and scenes from horror movies now stands only models of the murderers themselves but it is still very creepy to find yourself staring into the eyes of dr Harold shipman and Fred and rose west. There are still some scenes in the chamber of horrors such as a man being sent to his death in the electric chair and a horrible road accident. If you have a weak stomach best to be careful in this part of the waxworks, children are allowed in to the chamber of horrors but probably better not to take kids of an impressionable age into this bit.

The rock factory is an impressive part of the waxworks; I mean where else could you find Michael Jackson, buddy holly and Freddie mercury all performing together on the one stage? I do find in this part however that some of the models were not as life like as in other parts. As with the rest of the building this part also has signs with each model telling you about the person, when they were born, when they died if dead and a bit about them in general.

One of the parts of the waxworks that I was expecting to enjoy actually ended up being the most disappointing. The sports personality section which contained great footballers who I was looking forward to standing side by side with was a real let down. I honestly struggled to identify some of them the models were so poor. The great George best looked nothing like himself and Pele looked more like one of the Jackson 5.

In one section of the building you can take a walk down Coronation Street to the rovers return and sit on the bench outside with Vera and jack Duckworth as well as see the displays of many of the other famous people to have been in the show.

The regal room is of course where you can find the royal family not just the present royal family but all the royals down the years including royals from other countries and even great rulers and dictators stand side by side in here, an impressive sight I can tell you. I spent an hour in this part of the building reading about people whom I had and had not heard of before and reliving history with them standing right in front of me. This part of the waxworks also includes politicians and the popes from down the years as well as stories of the 1st and 2nd world wars.

As new stars appear and people become more famous the waxworks adds more figures to its displays. Some of the newest arrivals are Ricky Martin, Britney Spears and Samantha Mumba.

Celeb city was new for 2006 it is set up like a red carpet walk way where you can experience walking the red carpet along side stars like Angelina Jolie, brad pitt, Elvis Presley and Elton john whilst being snapped by the paparazzi.

There is also a professional photographer on hand to take your picture with your favourite star at a cost of course. Having never had this done I am unfortunately not able to inform you of the price for this although research would suggest that it is around the £5 per photo mark.

Throughout the waxworks you can see pictures of how the waxworks are created and there is a bit you can go to, to watch the craftsman at work. In this part you can also view heads of old waxworks no longer in use such as wurzel gummidge, old dr whos and other stars who are no longer in favour.

HOW WAXWORK MODELS ARE CREATED.

The whole process starts with many photos of the person about to be sculpted being studied at close quarters by the sculptor. The sculptor will then begin to sculpt the head in clay but this can take up to 8 weeks before the sculptor will be truly happy with what he has created. If possible the subject will visit the sculptor or vice versa for measurements and photos to be taken during the entire process. With the clay portrait complete, a plaster mould is made around it. This is later removed from the head & reassembled like a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle, forming a hollow plaster shell. The mould is then filled with molten wax and when the wax has cooled, the mould is removed to reveal a hollow wax head. Glass eyes and acrylic teeth which will be measure to the exact measurements for the person will then be fitted and a body built to their height and frame made for the head to sit on. The addition of hair is painstaking and time consuming; it can take weeks as the hair is added strand by strand. Once completed the figure will stand proud for us all to view, the total time from the pictures of the subject being taken to the model reaching the waxworks stand is normally 2 months.

The info on waxwork creations came courtesy of www.blackpoollive.com/waxworks/aboutus.html

OPENING TIMES AND PRICES.

Open daily from 10 am, from April to November.

Prices are as follows

Adult 8.95
Child 6.95
Senior 7.95
Family of 2 14.00
Family of 3 19.00
Family of 4 23.00
Family of 5 29.00

I would recommend this place to anyone who enjoys galleries or museums of any sort as well as those who are interested in history. The models of the newer stars are nice to see as well but the real feel of this place for me is coming eye to eye with stars, monarchy and serial killers who have now passed on.

As I mentioned earlier it is a great way to spend a couple of hours especially if it's pouring of rain outside which can be quite common in Blackpool. If you have a coffee or a bite to eat at the cafe whilst visiting it can be a longer indoor experience. I have spent over three hours in here reading all the info around the place and taking photos which unlike some similar places is permitted in here. The cafe and the gift shop in the waxworks is not as expensive as in some similar attractions. The gift shop has the usual gifts such as pens and keyrings with the waxworks logo on them but also has some larger gifts like books and dvd`s on the history of the waxworks. A favourite with the kids are the wax masks, they come in all shapes sizes and prices!

Thanks to all of you who have taken time to read this and I hope it's been of use to you!  

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