In Toulouse, Long Ma, the dragon-horse, with its outstretched wings
He opens one eye, breathes, moans… Long Ma takes his time to wake up, manipulated by the teams of the Compagnie de la Machine. Then, it begins to rise, smoke billowing from its nostrils before it begins to rear up, roar, infect its wings, and spit fire. This show, visitors to the Halle de la Machine in Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) can observe it from this Saturday, February 19. This creature from Chinese mythology, whose legend we will discover, has indeed joined the Minotaur and the Asterion spider for a few months in this Toulouse setting illustrated in November 2018, “permanent theater place” as described by François Delarozière, artistic director. of the company La Machine, known in particular for having created the monumental machines of the Machines of the island of Nantes (Loire-Atlantique).
12 m long and 45 tons of wood and steel
“This is a very important event for us. Long Ma, dragon horse, was built in a record time of eight months, in 2014, at the request of a Chinese patron to celebrate 50 years of the resumption of diplomatic relations between France and China. An exhibition and a photo tour have also been imagined to return to the artistic and technical challenge that this creation represented.
Arrived from China about ten days ago in spare parts, the machine has been completely restored and overhauled by the Nantes teams. Enough to allow this creature 12 m long and 45 tons of wood and steel to amaze the public with its movements, its expressions, its noises. For handling, 3 to 17 people are needed depending on expectations.
His stay in France will be divided into three periods to the public, as François Delarozière explains: “Initially, from February 19 to April 14, Long Ma will be visible in the hall and will wake up punctually. Then, it will come out to give rise to a show on the Trail of the Giants, on April 16 and 17. Finally, it will be equipped with its temple of transport and will be able to accommodate 35 people on its back to cross the Minotaur around the Halle de la Machine. »