Life as a living statue.0:07
Since the 1980s, stony-faced performers have haunted the streets of Britain.0:09
Alex Buskovic has a go at standing still.0:15
A stranger might give you a hard time, and most of us get hit once or twice a year.0:18
Ed Johnson's warning makes it sound like life as a living statue could be pretty risky.0:23
Fortunately, I'll have the protection of Matt Walters, who's been standing still professionally for over 25 years.0:29
"Don't let people see your eyes flicker or your chest move," says Matt.0:38
Sadly, unlike him, I don't have a heart rate so slow you can barely detect his pulse, and nor do I have Ed's ability to go for half an hour without blinking.0:43
However, it's not just about standing still.0:54
It's more about what you do when you move, says ex-drama teacher Ed.0:58
If you do something spectacular, it amazes people.1:03
Ed's costumes take him weeks to make.1:07
I have just 3 days to make a costume, train myself to be motionless, and work on some crowd-pleasing actions.1:10
Oh, and fit in some drama training.1:18
'To be any good, you have to get inside a character,' says Matt, whose street character, a chimney sweep, is a grumpy old man.1:21
These days, both Ed and Matt work mainly in the world of corporate events, but they still enjoy the street, where statuing in its present form began in the 1980s.1:31
So popular is the art nowadays that it even has its annual international championship, held in Holland.1:43
Stationary performance can be traced back to the medieval mystery plays, in which scenes were recreated by groups assembled in silent, still-living pictures.1:52
Matt has promised to do my makeup, and when I mention I had considered portraying a bride, he immediately offers to help cover a wedding gown in off-white paint.2:05
Two days later, I arrive at a square where only one statue is working.2:16
At the weekend, especially in summer, all five council-approved pitches will be occupied.2:21
It's not unknown for performers to stake their claim to the most profitable ones as early as 3 AM, which has occasionally led to pitch wars.2:28
At the square, Matt covers my skin and hair in layers of marble-coloured paint.2:39
And lightly sprays black over the top to give it a weathered look.2:44
I catch myself in the mirror and shudder.2:50
As I step onto my box, I follow Matt's advice and keep my eyes lowered to hide my blinking, and my hands loosely held so they won't sway or ache.2:53
I feel strangely relaxed, yet focused, and I'm keen to be seen.3:04
I don't have to wait long before a child runs up with 20p.3:10
I bow and his mum takes a picture.3:14
Then a man puts some coins into my bowl, so I blow him a kiss.3:17
I begin to feel like a D-list celebrity as families, groups of teenagers, and young couples all push to stand next to me and grin for the camera.3:22
Some approach uncertainly.3:33
A schoolgirl shrieks with surprise when I touch her hair.3:35
Before I realise Matt is telling me that my hour is up.3:39
I'm not normally one to take centre stage, but I felt confident and on a high after all the attention.3:43
Ed and Matt say statuing is addictive, and I can understand why.3:51
The reaction from the public is electrifying.3:56
What's more, when I count my takings, I've made over £20 without hardly moving a muscle.3:59
Now that really made my day.4:06
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