Screening of “Que le spectacle commence!” (Let the show begin!)

Screening of “Que le spectacle commence!” (Let the show begin!) is organized by Monaco Audiovisual Institute on 23 October 2026 at 6 pm.

Long before the advent of cinema, television, or smartphone screens, images were projected onto walls or screens using magic lanterns and hand-painted glass slides. They came to life through the talent of the lanternist-showman, who employed subtle mechanisms, his voice, and a flair for showmanship to captivate the audience. These luminous projections inspired as much wonder as fascination, paving the way for a form of popular entertainment that cinema would soon take over. This presentation, hosted by Anne Gourdet-Marès, will demonstrate that magic lantern shows retain all their poetic and magical power to this day.