To celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, Madame Tussauds pulled out all the stops for an event featuring live music from Jess and Matt amidst the waxworks.
Not familiar with Madame Tussauds? Located in Darling Harbour right next to the Aquarium, it’s a waxwork attraction featuring casts of famous folks. I had no idea that it had such a venerable history until I read all about it in the display. The eponymous Madame Tussaud was a real-life Frenchwoman from the 1700s. She got her start during the Reign of Terror (think: when all the aristocrats met Madame Guillotine), making death masks out of wax. Soon, this started touring her macabre collection across England.
What we have today is a series of Madame Tussauds attractions around the world. The modern-day incarnation features casts of living celebrities, such as Lady Gaga; reproductions based on photographs of historical figures, like Truganini; and yes — a few aristocrats thrown into the mix. Hello, Royal Family!
Even though I’d lived in London, home of the a huge Madame Tussauds, I’d never been to one. It was trippy being face-to-face with Taylor Swift. I can’t begin to imagine what it would have been like for someone in the eighteenth century, who’d never seen a painting or photograph. It’s crazy enough now; back then, it would have been mind-blowing.
The Lunar New Year celebrations at Madame Tussauds involve a waxwork of famed Chinese singer/actor Nicky Wu, along with interactive areas where you can make your own Lunar New Year-inspired GIF.
To kick things off properly, the folks behind Madame Tussauds invited in Jess & Matt to perform an intimate gig amidst the characters. The duo performed hits from their ARIA Award-winning album. It was adorable talking to one of their fathers afterwards — he said they’ve come such a long way from playing in neighbourhood pubs.
Visiting Madame Tussauds has to be experienced in person. What are you waiting for? Now’s the time to visit.
-Theresa
Co-founder of The Plus Ones, Theresa loves history and unusual things.
Madame Tussauds Sydney (Darling Harbour) will be staying open till late during the Lunar New Year period, until 9pm each day from the 12–24 February 2018. Book tickets online.
For more information on Jess & Matt, visit www.facebook.com/jessandmattofficial.
