Royal
de Luxe, founded in France in 1979, is the brainchild of Jean-Luc Courcoult, a
63-year-old film director. For the last 25 years, he has entertained young and
old, all over the world, with his giant mechanical marionettes. When the company brought its magic to Liverpool in 2014, I was elsewhere and unable to make
time for a trip. When a proposed second visit was announced (Figure 117.1), I
wrote the date in indelible ink. Nothing would stop me this time.
This
morning, my younger son and I arrived at the city’s Pier Head, just in time for
the long-anticipated parade to begin. I have never seen Liverpool so packed
with people – or, indeed, any other city (apart from London during the VE Day 50th
Anniversary Celebrations in 1995, or downtown Kowloon, Hong Kong during rush hour).
Figures
117.2 to 117.7 are a selection of photos and videos taken with my phone.
I
shall write Part 2 of Liverpool 2018: A World City after the 22nd of this
month.
Figure
117.1: An estimated 1.3 million people will see the Giants on the streets of Liverpool this weekend.
Copyright
© 2018 Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership
Figure
117.2: From our first viewpoint, on Strand Street, next to Canning Dock, the Giant
looks almost as tall as the Hilton Hotel.
Copyright
© 2018 Paul Spradbery
Figure
117.3: The Little Boy Giant arrives in Derby Square.
Copyright
© 2018 Paul Spradbery
Figure
117.4: I cannot imagine anyone not being utterly captivated by the intricate pulley
mechanisms which bring the figure to life. Incidentally, the background music
is live. My son loved this quirky song, which is called ‘Brazil’, performed by
Geoff Muldaur. It is the theme tune for a truly weird film with the same name, written and directed by Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam.
Copyright
© 2018 Paul Spradbery
Figure
117.5: Heading down James Street to the Pier Head
Copyright
© 2018 Paul Spradbery
Figures
117.6 & 117.7: My son’s favourite – Xolo the dog
Copyright
© 2018 Paul Spradbery
Copyright
© 2018 Paul Spradbery
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