A Grand Day for Some Cheese and Crackers at Sensation

8th June 2009

Many British traditions and institutions exist, for example: a good cup of tea, punctuality, The Beatles and enjoying fish and chips and the Spice Girls. In there should be added the iconic and dazzling ‘Wallace and Gromit’, created by Nick Parks and adored by the mass public. These petite plasticine figures took the nation by storm and made themselves a national treasure. That is why all of us who live in Dundee should be hot on our toes to get up to Sensation Science Centre to the current Wallace and Gromit Exhibition.

With four short films under their belt and a major motion picture ‘The Curse of the Were-rabbit’ these beloved characters have affirmed their popularity across the board, whether you prefer Wallace or Gromit or like my grandmother just love both of them then this exhibition is a truly wonderful treat that is available in Dundee. June 1st saw the exhibition open and it will sprinkle its magic right on through to October 11th, there is appeal for a great day out for everyone, you don’t have to be a child to enjoy this type of exhibition – but it may help for one special afternoon to act your shoe size and not your age.

The science centre itself opened in July 2000 costing around £5million, and has since been one of Dundee’s best visitor attractions. It offers excitement and information on a broad range of topics and subjects, Wallace and Gromit being a perfect example. Pulling in over 60,000 visitors a year the centre hopes to put a sparkle back into science, skill and learning about new things. The optimistic mindset is that the centre will encourage today and tomorrow’s scientists by promoting the uptake of science-based courses at universities after these have suffered, taking a drop in enrolment.

If you feel like a rest during your day at the centre and in the middle of your Wallace and Gromit extravaganza then you can park your bottom for a coffee or snack at the Infusion Cafe, serving Starbucks coffee and organic healthy snacks and light lunches from 10am, 7 days a week. There is also a gift shop available stocking more than your usual visitor attraction souvenirs, the shop offers educational and scientific gifts and tokens.

The exhibition itself offers you the chance to look at many amazing models and handcrafted sets from the runaway success that was ‘The Curse of the Were-rabbit’ by Aardman and DreamWorks’. Visitors to this exciting exhibition will even be given the opportunity to create their own show-stopping animation.  The showcase of Wallace and Gromit also enables fans and visitors to view storyboards, set design and cel painting and CGI. [Computer generated imagery] This is an amazing chance to get some pointers from an industry that created the captivating Wallace and Gromit. What more could you ask for!

The exhibition is priced as follows; this is actually for a whole day at the science centre as long as you hold onto your pass.

• Adult (16+):  £6.95
• Special Needs Adult: £5.00
• Child (4-15): £4.95
• Special Needs Child: £4.00
• O.A.P/Student: £4.95
• Under 4s Free of Charge

[Concessions are available for groups over ten.]

If that empty diary page is urging you to fill it with a day out with a difference, one that is interesting and motivating then get yourself along to the wonderful world of Wallace and Gromit at Dundee’s very own Sensation science centre… and don’t forget your cheese and biscuits!
Written By: Shona Appleby

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