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160228 | The aliens are landing at the Royal Cornwall Museum | West Briton

Via http://www.westbriton.co.uk/Aliens-landing-Truro-new-exhibition/story-28...

The aliens are landing at the Royal Cornwall Museum

By WBCaroline | Posted: February 28, 2016


  • Armourer Terry English next to one of his Alien models that will be on display at the Royal Cornwall Museum

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PROPS from blockbuster movie Aliens made by a local craftsman will be landing at a new monster exhibition in Truro.

Renowned armourer and prop designer Terry English has lent his handiwork made for James Cameron's science fiction film to the Royal Cornwall Museum for its forthcoming exhibition All Monsters Great And Small.

Terry has suited up Hollywood stars for decades, including the body armour worn by Bill Paxton's Hicks in Aliens, the mask from The Man In The Iron Mask starring Leonardo DiCaprio and armour for a 10ft troll in Harry Potter films – not to mention Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr Freeze armour in Batman & Robin.

He even made 106 pieces for the 1981 film Excalibur, starring Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren and the late Nigel Terry, who played King Arthur in the 1981 film and lived in St Ives in his later years until his death last year.

Now the craftsman, who lives near Hayle, is set to steal the limelight at the exhibition in Truro that explores the psychology behind the invention of monsters, how and why they have changed and Cornwall's own beasts.

Terry, who owns English Arms and Armour and has been armourer to the Queen, said: "Monsters make you go back to your childhood. What you remember are films like Dracula and Godzilla. These early cinematic impressions really resonate and shape our perceptions of monsters."

It takes Terry on average three days to create one suit of armour but he has worked round the clock to finish one within 24 hours.

The exhibition will also include rarely-seen medieval books from Exeter Cathedral library and the museum's own collection.

Jayne Wackett, exhibition curator, said: "The exciting thing about monsters is there are so many fascinating angles to look at them from. We have a series of experts coming to talk on matters ranging from psychology through to monsters in the medieval world, promoting this amazing exhibition to the local community."

A children's music project, coinciding with the exhibition, includes a specially-commissioned piece, A Story Of Cornwall, based around legends from the county, written in old Cornish, Latin and English, and composed by bard Nick Hart.

The exhibition runs from March 7 to August 31. Admission is free for children and £4.50 for unlimited adult entry for a year.

 

All Monsters Great and Small - Royal Cornwall Museum

Armourer Terry English next to  one of his Alien models that will be on display at the Royal Cornwall Museum
Alien head model by Terry English which will be on display at Royal Cornwall Museum’s forthcoming exhibition All Monsters Great and Small
Alien head model by Terry English which will be on display at Royal Cornwall Museum’s forthcoming exhibition All Monsters Great and Small
Alien embryo model by Terry English which will be on display at Royal Cornwall Museum’s forthcoming exhibition All Monsters Great and Small
Monster helmet by Terry English which will be on display at Royal Cornwall Museum’s forthcoming exhibition All Monsters Great and Small
Monster helmet by Terry English which will be on display at Royal Cornwall Museum’s forthcoming exhibition All Monsters Great and Small
Face hugger model by Terry English which will be on display at Royal Cornwall Museum’s forthcoming exhibition All Monsters Great and Small