Sound and light shows by Celesta.
Our sound and light shows set up, over a long duration, a story that the audience follows seated. We bring lighting, sound and fireworks together on a single running order.
- Chantilly Music Nights
- Light, sound and fire, all under one roof
- A detailed quote within 48 hours
The sound and light show, a definition
A sound and light show is a night-time performance in which lighting, a soundtrack and often pyrotechnics tell the story of a place together. The audience settles in for a long time, so we write a dramatic structure, pauses and an ending.
Lighting, sound and fireworks
In our running orders, we give each one a distinct register.
- Lighting for duration. We use it to shape volumes and change intention as the story unfolds.
- Sound for meaning. We compose the soundtrack: voice, score and silences carry the story and set the pace of the evening.
- Fireworks for punctuation. We place the display on a turning point, a reveal or the end of the story.
Technical sound and light or costumed show
The term now covers two very different things. On one side, historical pageants performed by volunteer troupes, with cavalry and costumes. On the other, purely technical writing, where the venue itself is the performer. We produce the latter, which is worth knowing before comparing two quotes.
Sound and light without a troupe: schedule and technical precision
Without performers, you have no casting, no group rehearsals and no dressing rooms to organise. We shift the demand onto the technical precision of the running order.
- The schedule is getting tighter. There’s no rehearsal season to organise: the show is put together over just a few days of rehearsals.
- The result is reproduced identically. From one evening to the next, our running order is the same to the second.
- Our salaried teams set every blackout. Without actors to fill in, an unplanned blackout shows.
Lead times for a sound and light show
We compose and record the soundtrack, test the lighting intentions on the actual site and rehearse the running order in full before playing it to an audience. As soon as fireworks are involved, the administrative lead time for the display is added.
3 to 6 months
to compile the soundtrack and stop driving
1 month
minimum administrative processing time if the report involves a shot being fired
A rehearsal
performed in full on the site before opening night
48 hours
between your call and an initial quote
Light, sound and fire handled by one team
With us, lighting, sound and fireworks come from the same company, in Aigremont in the Yvelines and in Normandy. So there is nobody to convince when an intention changes along the way.
Our commitments in the quote
Our quote spells out these four points.
- A fixed price. The figure given at the start of the project remains the figure invoiced, travel and set-up included.
- The insurance certificate is included automatically. The certificate is enclosed with the application; you do not need to request it.
- No outsourcing. Lighting, sound and stage operations remain in the hands of our staff, including on the night of the performance.
- Dates open to the public. We tell you where to see one of our shows before you sign anything.
Budget for a sound and light show
For a local authority that votes its budget before choosing its provider, here are our ballpark figures.
Our price ranges by local authority
From 2,500 to 5,000 euros for a municipality with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. From 5,000 to 20,000 euros for a medium-sized town or an inter-municipal authority. From 20,000 to 50,000 euros for a large city. A drone light show starts at 10,000 euros.
The items that drive up the bill
The size of the area to be lit and the number of sound points; the proportion of original music compared with an existing repertoire; the number of performances; and whether or not there is a fireworks display as part of the performance.
Included in the price
The prior technical visit, delivery and set-up of the equipment, the dress rehearsal, operation by our teams on the night and dismantling. We cost each extra evening starting from the running order already written.
Sound and light with the other disciplines
Depending on the venue and the purpose, the running order draws on the four other disciplines, which we practise in-house, and brings them in where they serve the story.
Pyrotechnic show
For the finishing touches and the finale, when the evening calls for a shift in atmosphere that lighting alone cannot provide.
Special effects
On the ground and as close as possible to the audience: cold sparks, thick mist and flames kept within sight.
Multimedia production
Overall direction, when several languages are used to convey a single message.
Light drones
To create a legible pattern in the sky. The flight authorisation must be submitted 45 days before the show.
Present your site
All you need to get started is the name of the venue, the proposed dates and your budget. We’ll send you a proposed production plan and a quote within 48 hours, with no obligation.
- Aigremont and Normandy
- More than 20 countries
- We’ll get back to you within 48 hours
Your questions about sound and light
What is a sound and light show?
A night-time show given on a site, most often a heritage site, where lighting, a soundtrack and sometimes pyrotechnics tell a story together. The site is the subject of the story. We design the running order, compose it and run it on the night.
How much does a sound and light show cost?
Between 2,500 and 5,000 euros for a town of fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, between 5,000 and 20,000 euros for a medium-sized town or inter-municipal body, between 20,000 and 50,000 euros for a large city. The size of the site, the number of sound points and the share of original music explain most of the differences. We cost the technical visit, set-up and rehearsal in.
Do we need extras or actors?
No. Two families of shows share the same name: historical pageants performed by troupes, and purely technical creations where the site is the only performer. We produce the latter. So there is no recruitment or rehearsal season to plan on your side.
How long does the performance last?
It is the longest of the five formats we practise: where a fireworks display is counted in minutes, a sound and light show settles the audience in for a time that lighting and sound can hold without tiring. The exact length is agreed with you, depending on the site, nightfall and the rest of your programme.
How long should I allow for this?
Three to six months before the event allow time to compose the soundtrack, test the lighting effects on site and rehearse the entire performance. If the narrative involves a fireworks display, a minimum of one month must be allowed for administrative procedures; a drone light flight, on the other hand, must be declared forty-five days in advance.
Is it allowed to play on a listed monument or in a closed venue?
Yes, with the site manager’s consent and within the constraints they set to protect the building. In an enclosed or covered space, stage effects fall under the order of 25 June 1980 on fire safety in establishments open to the public, and an outdoor display remains subject to decree no. 2010-455 of 4 May 2010 from category F4 or thirty-five kilograms of active material. We handle these applications.