Imagine Exhibitions, a leader in worldwide travelling exhibitions and entertainment, is celebrating the opening of Downton Abbey: The Exhibition at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, Chicago, in collaboration with NBCUniversal.
The exhibition has been shown successfully in Singapore, New York, West Palm Beach, Boston, and Atlanta, as well as at The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. It opens to the public in Chicago today, 10 November, and will be showing for a limited time. This is the exhibition’s sixth and final location in the United States.
Sixth & final US location
Downton Abbey: The Exhibition immerses visitors in the world of the multi-award-winning global television phenomenon, and the two formerly released blockbuster feature films produced by Carnival Films, part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. It was lauded by The New York Times as “a cleverly immersive experience mounted with the same exacting care as the show itself.”
Tom Zaller, president & CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, comments: “We are excited to bring
this popular exhibition to the Chicagoland area, and just in time for the holidays when people are out and about and enjoying the season together. We will only be in Chicago for a limited time, so be sure to get your tickets now.
“Tickets to Downton Abbey: The Exhibition makes for a wonderful holiday gift as it’s something that the whole family can enjoy. Make sure to keep an eye out for our afternoon tea events, etiquette classes and events for the holidays and on British society.”
Gareth Neame, executive chairman of Carnival Films and executive producer of Downton Abbey, adds: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Downton Abbey: The Exhibition to America for the sixth time.
“For those only just embarking on the Downton journey or existing fans excited to experience its splendor, this is the ultimate opportunity to visit some of the most recognizable sets and get up close to real costumes and artifacts from the series and movies. You can also see the historical context and subject matter behind the show, and learn more about the society, culture and issues, which led to the stories we told.”
Michael Silver, president of global business development at Universal Destinations & Experiences, says: ” We are delighted that Downton Abbey: The Exhibition is launching in Chicago. This immersive exhibition will not only give fans a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to view the elaborate sets, detailed costumes and luxurious jewelry of Downton Abbey’s high society inhabitants but also will introduce them to the downstairs world of the servants who kept the estate functioning so smoothly and efficiently.”
Exclusive content
Original costumes, production props, and never-before-seen footage from the series are among the exclusive elements on show in the exhibition, all of which are intended to strengthen fans’ bonds with their favourite characters.
It offers an intriguing glimpse into all aspects of the popular TV series’ post-Edwardian period, with a comprehensive examination of the significant events that shaped the world. Visitors will be able to learn about British society, culture, and fashion from World War I to the Roaring Twenties.
The exhibition will take guests on an amazing journey around Downton Abbey, offering a peek into the lives of the Crawleys and those who served them. Fans will be able to walk through some of the series’ most recognisable and famous locations, including Mrs Patmore’s busy kitchen and Carson’s office, as well as the family’s sumptuous dining room. Visitors will also be able to get a close-up look at over 60 of the show’s official costumes, as worn by their favourite cast members including Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, and Dame Maggie Smith.
Imagine Exhibitions recently celebrated the success of Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which received over 611,000 visitors at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles between 21 April and 15 October.
All images kind courtesy of Imagine Exhibitions/NBCUniversal
