Contact Details- Animal Zoo

[J Henshaw]

I have been recommended to contact an Skin Costume making company

Animal Zoo of London, I can't find them anywhere.... has anyone had dealings with them? or have contact details for them?

 

Thanks

J

[w/robe]

There was a skins and make-up shop at 7 Dials for many years which was run by a make-up artist called Burt Broe. The shop was called something like Animal Zoo though that does not sound quite right and they closed at least 10 years ago after Burt passed away.

[andy_s]

Burt's shop was called Theatre Zoo. As Mr Robe says, now long gone.

 

I have a vague recollection of a firm specializing in skins based at one of the big Studio complexes - possibly the Elstree or Pinewood - from where we had a gorilla suit for a production of Granny and the Gorilla some years ago, but I'm afraid my memory lets me down - I had a bit of a root around in my files but unfortunately I don't have the records from that show anymore, though I remember we were honoured to have the amazing Peter Elliott as our Gorilla consultant. So it might be worth searching for trades at the film studios, trying trade directories like the White Book, etc.

 

edited for spelling.

[w/robe]

Burt's shop was called Theatre Zoo. As Mr Robe says, now long gone.

Well remembered

 

I'm seeing the Designer form Granny and the Gorilla later I'll see if he can remember where the costume came from.

 

J, what animal are you looking for and how realistic do you want it to be?

[andy_s]

I'm seeing the Designer from Granny and the Gorilla later I'll see if he can remember where the costume came from.

 

Worth asking Mr C, I think it was all done through Peter Elliott as it's his specialised area, but he may have squirrelled the information away like he does!

 

Brainstorm! as I type this, "animated extras" pops into my head, and a quick google reveals THIS Knew I'd remember if I waited long enough!

 

I don't know if this is what the OP is after, but it might be a suitable alternative. Ref: Mark's question, these are hyper-realistic gorilla suits, as used in Gorillas in the Mist and similar movies. Not the kind of fancy-dress thing you see in the annual Gorilla run over London Bridge. As such, they will likely be very expensive.

 

chs

Andy

 

E2A:- but of course, bearing in mind the time of year, if the OP is looking for pantomime horses or similar, then the above link is not appropriate!

[J Henshaw]

Gentlemen ,

 

thanks for your help

with a tight deadline and needing a realistic lion one performer quadruped costume.

Last night I gave the order to a joint venture between Creature Feature and Steve Wright

 

Andy, it is for Panto but we arent wanting a panto style lion

 

I have to say that it is an expensive costume for the amount of time he will be on stage.

Once he arrives with me at the end of the month I will post some pics and begin the hunt to find him a loving home from Mid January

 

J