Transports Exceptionnels start their tour in the Sheffield sunshine

Over the last couple of days the freshly-revamped Devonshire Green has played host to a dancing mechanical digger with accompanying dance partner.

Hanging on: Phillipe Priasso

I joined a packed crowd this afternoon to watch the choreographed routine unfold between French dancer Phillipe Priasso and his mechanical digger, to the background sound of opera singing.

I have no knowledge or real appreciation of dance, except when I am forced to watch Strictly Come Dancing on a Saturday night, and although sceptical beforehand, I was quite impressed by the end.

The show lasted about 20 minutes, during which we saw the relationship between one man and his digger unfold, each mimicking the other and the digger taking on a life of its own, reminiscent of an animal or dinosaur.

I don’t know whether it was Danceworks or the council that took the lead in organising this, but it was good to see this kind of event in Sheffield, especially one being used to help showcase a regenerated site in town.

Transports Exceptionnels on Devonshire Green

Here is a video of a similar performance on the South Bank in London last year: