Look out – here be monsters
BARBARA HODGSON CHECKS OUT THE GOOD, THE BAD – AND THE CUDDLY – AT THE WORD IN SOUTH SHIELDS
MONSTERS, from Frankenstein’s scary creation to a giant Sully, have taken up residence at The Word in South Shields.
And from this weekend they are set to be star attractions at a new exhibition which promises to make for a monstrously good day out for families.
For the past six months, the national centre for the written word has been working flat-out on plans for Monsters! The Good, The Bad and The Cuddly which launches tomorrow.
And the end result will take visitors on a meander through the history of monsters in books and on film and en route they will find lurking – around corners and behind doors – the likes of a life-size Dracula and the world of Dr Frankenstein himself.
This being the 200-year anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s horror story proved the inspiration behind the free exhibition, explained Tania Robinson, The Word’s head of marketing and culture.
“It was the perfect excuse,” she said.
“We’re all about celebrating the written word in all its different forms and that includes books and movies – and who doesn’t love monsters?”
Frankenstein’s monster – which conjures up the iconic image of Boris Karloff in the 1931 classic film – is discovered here inside a glass case in the doctor’s “castle laboratory” where visitors can try out the monster-machine table and where touching glass equipment bottles makes the ‘electricity’ crackle within.
There are lots of interactive exhibits as well as plenty for families to learn about.
Tania said that the aim was to have something for all ages, including enough of serious interest for adults to keep them properly entertained while the young ones rush off to play the iPad games and take selfies with the likes of a giant Sully: a speciallymade recreation of the star of Monsters Inc.
There are exhibits featuring monsters from across history, as depicted in books and on film, and these include film footage ranging from old-style classics – such as 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera – to the digital creations of Pixar and Disney, with last year’s Kong: Skull Island bringing the creature to realistic life. Besides the huge Sully, whose silky blue fur children are welcome to stroke, other photo opportunities include a chance to stand within the grip of King Kong’s giant paw. Both these exhibits have been made by Jon Ternent (pictured left) of Sheridan Design; the company which also worked on The Word’s Ridley Scott and Pirates exhibitions – the latter attracting 130,000 visitors. Monsters! is its most ambitious show yet and creative designer Jon said he has made “nothing on this scale” before. His Sully, in particular, posed its challenges. With no room to make it at the office – the finished product would have been too big to be taken out through the door – Jon created him in his garage at home, after close study of photographs and films stills of the film favourite.
“I did a miniature half-metre version and, once all the pieces fitted, I scaled it up,” he said.
Some months – and a trail of blue fur left all over his house – later, Jon’s spot-on recreation is a highlight of the show.
Another is original artwork of notso-scary monster Rufus, a new character from Simon Bartram, local author of Bob, Man on the Moon, which is being introduced in his latest book.
Also among the children’s favourites making an appearance are Shrek, The Gruffalo and Scooby Doo.
Dotted throughout the exhibition are colourful information boards with a wealth of images and information about, for instance, monsters in mythology – such as gorgons and centaurs – and those depicted as zombies. Others display scenes from Jekyll and Hyde; Monsters v Aliens, and Creature from the Black Lagoon.
But for anyone who doesn’t like to read information while they wander, there are headsets available for audio tours.
Then, once they’ve indulged in the monster-fest, an activity area outside the exhibition room offers children an opportunity to create artwork inspired by what they’ve seen which can then be pinned to a display wall.
Monsters! The Good, The Bad and The Cuddly, which is sponsored by Port of Tyne, will run at The Word in until January 2019.