Liverpool is about to experience the biggest and most spectacular piece of free theatre ever seen in the UK, commissioned for the city's European Capital of Culture celebrations.

View more images of La machine here.

Taking place over one magical long weekend (Wednesday 3 to Sunday 7 September), La Machine will feature a gigantic mechanical creature which will explore the city, accompanied by a team of scientists which will investigate its journey through the city's landmarks, trying to find out where it came from, why it is here and where it wants to go.

The precise details of the event have been a closely-guarded secret, but today a giant spider was unveiled.

The show is the work of French company La Machine. The company is led by engineering genius François Delarozière who, in 2006, engineered and built the giant, 42-tonne mechanical elephant that captivated London in The Sultan's Elephant, a show by another French company, Royal de Luxe. Delarozière and his company have travelled from their huge workshop in Nantes to bring La Machine to Liverpool.

La Machine will be one of the most extraordinary theatrical events ever seen. This event is quite simply the biggest piece of free theatre ever mounted in the UK, and will feature a giant spider, 50 feet high and thirty-seven tonnes in weight, as well as a spectacular battery of special effects.

The company's directors Helen Marriage and Nicky Webb said: "We are delighted to be bringing the theatrical genius of La Machine to Liverpool as one of the flagship events in this year's Capital of Culture programme."

Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Deputy Chair of the Liverpool Culture Company said: "La Machine is one of the highlights of Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture and there is a huge sense of expectation in the city and beyond. We are very proud that more than 70 per cent of 08 events are free and I have no doubt that this unique show will provide even more excitement than usual!"

Fiona Gasper Executive Producer for the Liverpool Culture Company said: "La Machine is one of the major artistic commissions from the Liverpool Culture Company for 08 and is the centrepiece of the hugely popular free outdoor programme of events which has been running throughout the summer.

"We are expecting record crowds to flock into the city centre to see this amazing event which is guaranteed to intrigue and delight."

La Machine was commissioned by Liverpool Culture Company, with funds from its major partners, including the Northwest Regional Development Agency, the Arts Council and Liverpool City Council.

Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: "The NWDA is delighted to be able to support La Machine.

"Not only will this be a spectacular free show for the people of Liverpool, it will also put the city and the region in the international spotlight, reflecting the Northwest as the culturally dynamic region that it is."

For more information please go to: www.lamachine.co.uk