An exhibition dedicated to the hit British TV series Downtown Abbey has opened at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore ahead of a worldwide tour.
Downton Abbey: The Exhibition will travel to the US in 2018 and is expected to move to other international locations down the line, including possibly China and Macau. It has been created by NBCUniversal International Studios and Imagine Exhibitions. The two companies have previously collaborated on ventures including a Jurassic Park touring exhibition. Dressing Downtown, a touring exhibition showcasing some of the costumes featured in Downton Abbey, has been travelling around the US for the past two years.
“Selling Britishness to British people is not as interesting as bringing the British experience to Americans,” Michael Edelstein, president of NBCUniversal International Studios, told The Hollywood Reporter recently.
Downton Abbey: The Exhibition aims to “connect visitors with their favourite characters, costumes and locations as well as showcase never-before-seen footage and historic moments.” Ticket prices in Singapore start at S$30.00 ($21.65).
Downton Abbey’s Asian appeal
Downton Abbey has a strong fan base in Asia. Edelstein says Singapore was chosen as the first location because the exhibition was built there and in neighbouring Malaysia, and also Marina Bay Sands is a beautiful location. “Essentially when the show is done touring, perhaps we park it in the UK as a wonderful tourist attraction if we find the right venue,” he adds
The multiple-award-winning Carnival Films/Masterpiece co-production, originally screened on the UK channel ITV, has now been seen in over 250 territories. The last episode was in 2015, but a Downton Abbey feature film is believed to be on the way.
Downton Abbey image courtesy Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-executive-talks-downton-abbey-exhibition-film-plans-1016251
