One of the attraction’s most ambitious artworks, Elton John has been added to the collection of iconic figures at Madame Tussaud’s London.

Portraying the musician mid-air as if time had stopped during a signature piano jump, Merlin Entertainments approached Stage One having previously collaborated on a similar concept in the reproduction of an infamous scene from horror movie, The Exorcist.

The challenge was to suspend the figure without visible or obtrusive external connections. Furthermore, although barriers would be in place, the artwork had to accommodate the risk of a visitor leaning against or hanging from it.

Our structural engineering team assessed the design, advising on safety measures to prevent the installation falling or deflecting. Our CAD team designed a skeletal steel frame for the figure, a second structure designed for the piano as a counterbalance and the two connected by fixing points located at the figure’s access hatch.

Working with Yamaha to create a bespoke baby grand piano for this artwork, our client supplied the design, and the piano was crafted in our wood shop, painted in black gloss and the keys machined on our CNC machine.

We fabricated the steel frame to fit within the fibreglass figure supplied. A truly collaborative project, there was a client review at each stage to ensure the artwork developed to their requirements.

The final task for Stage One was to dress the top of the piano with carpet. The project was then delivered to the client and their highly-skilled staff transformed the piece into an artwork indistinguishable from the legendary music icon himself.