Topiary Organisation

Have you ever seen some topiary so well crafted that you think it could come alive at any minute? Well with this particular piece you can be forgiven for your thoughts - "The Living Topiary" is the latest creation from madcap performance group The Living Statue Company.

"We started off wanting to create a costume that would be fun and surprising for garden parties," explains artistic director Ed Johnson "Gradually the idea grew about making a topiary suit that a performer could wear and disguise himself amongst the plants at an event."

The idea was easy part - nearly 300 hours of painstaking sewing using plastic boxwood leaves went in to making each of the two costumes now available for hire, "There were a few points when we thought about giving up, our fingers were red raw and there seemed to be no end to the costumes."

But the finished result was worth the wait. Looking exactly like real topiary the performer stands perfectly still like a living statue. When guests have arrived and settled he bursts into life to amuse and entertain them with a collection of slapstick routines.

"We're taken aback by the popularity of these costumes, we weren't sure if people would get the joke but people just love it. We've been performing as traditional style living statues for many years now and this is something new and refreshing to add to our collection of characters. We just have to be nervous when someone approaches with a pair of shears!"

They certainly would have to worry about their 'privet' parts! To find out more about the Living Topiary costumes or to take a look at the impressive range of Human Statues on offer visit The Living Statue Company's website at http://www.thelivingstatuecompany.com/ to find out more.