Oh my Dowager — the Crawleys are coming stateside with a “Downton Abbey” exhibit
Somebody tell Mrs. Patmore to put a roast in the oven — Downton Abbey is about to have *a lot* of company. Or, at least, a space that looks basically identical to the Crawleys’ lavish abode is about to have a lot of company. ““Downton Abbey: The Exhibition” is opening in New York City on November 18th, and we may need the Dowager Countess’ smelling salts, we’re so delighted.
Judging from its website, visitors will essentially travel back in time to Downton‘s post-Edwardian era and get an up-close look at everything from Lady Sybil’s stylin’ harem pants to a replica of Daisy’s jelly molds. We’re already nostalgic watching the short trailer the exhibit put out hearing Carson, er, actor Jim Carter’s stern yet comforting voice narrating. (We’ll admit it, though: The sight of any Downton actors out of their period costumes freaks us out a little).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7mlGPoE97Y?feature=oembed
The show will feature more than 50 costumes (including Mary and Edith’s wedding dresses!), recreations of major set pieces, and video interviews with cast members, among other artifacts. History buffs will surely swoon, too. Showrunner Julian Fellowes is known for his attention to detail, and it’s clear that aspect we all loved from the show will be front and center. Tickets ($15-$30 for general admission) are on sale now for the limited engagement, which will take over a space a few blocks from the city’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.
“There’s lots for the kids to do with opening drawers and pressing buttons and making music and listening to music,” Carter says in the trailer. “People will be excited to see it.”
Downton superfans anxious for their Crawley fix ahead of next year’s planned movie will definitely be psyched about the timing of the exhibit. The beloved Masterpiece drama went off the air after six seasons (and 15 Emmy wins) back in 2015, and we’ve been seriously missing the Bateses’ chemistry and Lady Violet’s sick burns ever since.
