TORONTO - Tucked inside the modern confines of the Toronto International Film Festival's Bell Lightbox theatre lies a treasure trove of medieval weapons, clothes, a dragon's egg and even the king's majestic iron throne from the hugely popular TV series "Game of Thrones."
The free exhibit, which also includes the impaled head of the character Eddard Stark, opens to the public Friday and runs through March 18.
"This is the first time these items have been presented anywhere in the world, this is an exclusive, unique opportunity for Canadians and Torontonians to engage with these items from the set," said Scott Campbell, manager of communications for HBO Canada.
"I think people are going to be really amazed at the level of artistry and craft that goes into creating the costumes. And for someone who's more of a casual or curious or potential fan, they can come down and by going through the exhibition get a real sense of what the show is all about."
Based on a series of books by George R. R. Martin, the TV show is an epic fantasy tale about feuding families battling for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
The exhibit also includes a few sneak peeks at the second season of "Game of Thrones" -- which kicks off April 1 on HBO Canada -- through photographs and the costume of a new character, Melisandre.
In town to promote the exhibit, the series' upcoming season 2 premiere and the recent DVD/Blu-ray release of the first season was Michelle Fairley, who plays Catelyn Stark.
She said the exhibit will give fans a chance to experience what the actors went through when they first saw the elaborately detailed sets, which were meticulously crafted to represent Martin's vision.
"When you go on set you walk into a real world, some of the sets that were built in the studio in Ireland, in Belfast, they were just breathtaking," Fairley said.
"The attention to detail is astounding and every prop that is on set has been designed specifically for that world.
"The time and the effort involved in something like that, it's a privilege, it really is, and for you as an actor to walk onto a created world, I mean, it's once in a lifetime that you get that opportunity, really."
Tickets for the exhibit can be picked up at the Lightbox or reserved by phone by calling 416-599-8433 or 1-888-599-8433.
