задание Listening+Reading по перспективной модели к ЕГЭ
тренажёр по английскому языку (10 класс)

8.

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds

Where in the world can you bump into Princess Diana, meet David and Victoria Beckham, and gaze into Charlie Chaplin’s eyes? Only at Madame Tussauds, the London landmark that’s been pulling in the crowds since 1835. Getting up close and personal with life-sized wax models of the famous is a feature of many family holidays to the capital, and having a model of yourself in the museum has become a symbol of success for those who seek celebrity.

For more than two hundred years Madame Tussaud’s has entertained and amazed people of all ages, nationalities and from all walks of life. After all, where else can you see world leaders, movie stars, sporting heroes and other celebrities. Employing the best sculptors to create the most life-like reproductions, Madame Tussaud’s is particularly famous for its attention to details.

The story began in 1777 when Madame Tussaud learned the art of wax modelling from Dr Philippe Curtius while working as his housekeeper. Living in Paris, Tussaud’s early models, which included Voltaire, Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin, were a great success. In 1802, she accepted an invitation from Paul Philidor to exhibit her work alongside his show at the Lyceum Theatre, London. Eventually, the exhibition settled in London and it’s been a major tourist attraction ever since.

Madame Tussauds has many permanent exhibits, such as prime-ministers, royalty and sports stars. Those who want to test their courage can explore the Chamber of Horrors, showing criminals and their unpleasant ends, while the more adventurous can take a cruise with the Pirates of the Caribbean. But there are also state-of-the-art interactive exhibitions, which change from month to month. Computer-controlled figures (audioanimatronics) are especially popular with the visitors. Their speech and sound are recordered onto CDs and synchronized with the movements. When they look at you their eyes are sparkling and you feel uncomfortable. Figures are made 2 % bigger than real life because wax shrinks. The wax used for the figures is similar to candle wax. Each figure weighs about 15 kg — with 4.5 kg of wax used for the head and 1.4 kg for the hands. The characters who move and speak are modelled in clay first of all, like the normal portraits, but the head is made in silicon rubber which allows movement.

Madame Tussaud worked at her exhibition until her death in 1850 at the age of 89. Her sons and grandsons continued with the business, but these days her descendants are no longer directly involved. However, the spirit of Marie continues to live on, not least in the form of the figure she made herself.

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