Issue No. 25

Halle de La Machine: magical & mad
The Minotaur is the brainchild of François
Delaroziere and La machine company famous
for The Island of the Machines in Nantes and
for their incredible street theatre machines.
As a kid I was captivated by stories of
mythical beasts. My favourite tale was of a
Minotaur who roamed a labyrinth on the
Greek island of Crete. Small me believed that
Minotaurs, a species which had the head and
tail of a bull and the body of a man, really
lived, much like dinosaurs. I dreamed of one
day meeting a minotaur. Growing up, your
childhood imaginations fade away – but
sometimes, dreams do come true. Arriving at
the brand new Halle de la Machine I was
immediately confronted by the sight of a
giant, blinking his big blue eyes in the sunlight
and breathing steam as he swung his head to
look at me. At 14m high and weighing a
stonking 14 tonnes, you certainly can’t miss
him. He’ll take you for a ride on his back and
makes you feel as he’s almost alive.
The Minotaur is not alone. In the vast space
of the Halle de la Machine more mysterious
inhabitants are waiting to meet you.
Amongst the exhibits are a walking 37 ton
spider called Ariane and musical machines
which make up the strangest orchestra you’re
ever likely to see. There’s a giant set of wings
piloted by a machiniste, pipes which spout
flames, twirling guitars and a table laid for an
enchanted dinner where the pepper is
sprinkled by a flying waiter.