Keith Urban, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Croc Dundee are personalities you might not expect to see sharing the same stage. But at Madame Tussauds wax museum – which opened in Sydney today – anything can happen.
The world renowned attraction has been given an Australian make-over and has set-up shop in Darling Harbour.
International A-listers such as Hugh Jackman and Cate Blanchett rub shoulders with local stars like presenter Amanda Keller and Home and Away’s Ray “Alf Stewart” Meagher.
Guy Pearce, who graduated from Ramsay Street to Hollywood Boulevard with films such as LA Confidential and Momento, has been immortalised as his most famous Australian role in marabou feathers and hot pink eyeshadow.
Pearce’s Felicia Jollygoodfellow, from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert, is joined by other Aussie icons such as Mick Dundee (Paul Hogan) and the late actor Heath Ledger – who was awarded a posthumous Oscar – in the museum’s film room.
Next door is an Australian television room devoted to stars of the small screen.
Today, Ian Smith, better known as Harold Bishop from Neighbours, came face to face his wax alter-ego for the launch.
Also in the television room is Dame Edna Everage, Bert Newtown and a colourfully-dressed Rolf Harris who donated original clothing and a wobble board to the artists.
Madame Tussauds general manager Hywel Mathias said it takes 60 artists 800 hours to create a figure from beginning to end.
Each figurine is worth about $220,000.
“I’ve got a dedicated team who literally spend all the time re-touching, making it perfect, keeping it 100 per cent right,” Mr Mathias said.
“If we get a little bit of damage we resolve it but most people are quite respectful.”
The Jolly Good News 