How hokey are son et lumiere shows?
 

I don't want to come across as snooty, but frankly our tastes are more towards the highbrow as far as music and theatre. We don't care for Broadway musicals and would prefer the ballet or a classical music concert any day. We are doing a bike tour of the Loire Valley and the outfitter has recommended that we see the show the night we spend at Azay-le-Rideau. Is this worthwhile and interesting, or would we be rolling our eyes? Thanks.

The son-et-lumière at Azay-le-Rideau is pretty good, as those shows go. We were there one afternoon when things were being set up for the evening, and it looked quite interesting. Why not give it a try?

If nothing else, it's going to be so different from a ballet or classical music concert - or Broadway for that matter - that I don't think the evening would be wasted.

The most spectacular "show" I've ever seen anywhere - and I was a drama major and put in a lot of hours in theaters - was the re-enactment of the Battle of Castillon in the Dordogne. It wasn't a son-et-lumière, per se, but it was amazing. So give it a try!

I would rate them as mildly hokey. A few too many years ago my wife and did a son et lumiere at one of the Loire chateaux, can't remeber which one -- Blois I think. It was like a radio drama enhanced by lighting changes to give varying effects inside and outside the building to go with the narrative. It was sort of fun to try to keep up with the French while imagining the events being described. Doesn't sound like it's for anyone who asks the question.

Some are better than others, more hokey than others. My favorite was at Le Lude where spectators sit across the water and the townspeople (hundreds of them) recreate the history with live horses pulling carriages, sword battles, dances and some fireworks at the end. The reflection of all the colors and moving figures in the water was beautiful. Only negative if you're a little highbrow...the seats are sets of bleachers. I guess I'm just ordinary folk cause I had a blast, but I've got the necessary natural padding required for those hard seats!

Well, they're certainly not in the same class as grand opera. But nor are they in the same class as the incredibly tacky "midieval banquet" spectaculars. We went to one and enjoyed it a lot. Essentially it a music and fireworks show with a little bit of history thrown in. Half the enjoyment is seeing the chateau and touring the grounds by moonlight. If you don;t take it seriously it can be great fun - but not an intellectual exercise.

Sorry - I hit post too soon. this is from people who do enjoy Broadway - both plays and shows - but also frequent the ballet, opera (grand and light) and symphony.