On a recent trip to Tunisia with work we were told we would be going to see a sound and light show. We didn't really get told much about the place or where it was but, it took us 25 minutes to get from our hotel, the El Mouradi Palm Marina, which is located in Port El Kantaoui. The journey ... Read review
Advantages: Different Disadvantages: Too many languages in one go!
On a recent trip to Tunisia with work we were told we would be going to see a sound and light show. We didn't really get told much about the place or where it was but, it took us 25 minutes to get from our hotel, the El Mouradi Palm Marina, which is located in Port El Kantaoui. The journey took us away from the main area and into what looked like the middle of nowhere! Upon arrival and also after seeing the show, it became apparent why this place ... ...it is all done outdoors. I will give as much detail as I can about this place and hopefully be able to give an insight into exactly what it is!
What it is like:
Upon arrival as it was quite dark and there is not really much to see. The only thing we could tell when we got off of the coach was there was a large arena type area with seats outside sloping upwards. It was similar to an old roman arena. There was an entrance just ... more
On a recent trip to Tunisia with work we were told we would be going to see a sound and light show. We didn't really get told much about the place or where it was but, it took us 25 minutes to get from our hotel, the El Mouradi Palm Marina, which is located in Port El Kantaoui. The journey took us away from the main area and into what looked like the middle of nowhere! Upon arrival and also after seeing the show, it became apparent why this place has been put in the middle of the fields as it is all done outdoors. I will give as much detail as I can about this place and hopefully be able to give an insight into exactly what it is!
What it is like: Upon arrival as it was quite dark and there is not really much to see. The only thing we could tell when we got off of the coach was there was a large arena type area with seats outside sloping upwards. It was similar to an old roman arena. There was an entrance just underneath all the seats and this led into a corridor type area that was lit by lanterns and was decorated in deep colours like oranges, reds and dark beige. To the right hand side there were a variety of counters to buy snacks and drinks and at the side of the counters at various points were the doors to get into the arena.
When you go through into the arena you can sit anywhere on the seats except in the area where they have heaters which is at an extra charge. The arena is hard to describe as the seats are only on one side and on the other side they have what looks like a large fortress with huge doors in the middle and in front of this is a small lake. To either side they have a smaller section set up which is used during the performance.
The show: The show itself was described to us as a sound and light show but it is more than that as they have acting in it too but all the speaking is done through pre set recording which is blasted out through the speakers and so the actors are literally just acting a role out to the timed music and lights. The theme is the history of Tunisia, which to some may sound a little boring but it covers all the French and Roman influences that made Tunisia what it is today. The story follows through with displays of battles and uses the fortress walls that are across the lake to show scenes on using lights and there is also water displays on the lake to with fountains all in time to music or the story. Also the fortress doors open at certain points where actors are doing scenes. The show also has animals too which are mainly horses and small farm type animals.
Is it any good: Yes and no! The reason I would say yes is because there is a lot of stuff to see and the way it is all done is really amazing especially with the lights and the actors and there is obviously a lot of work going into it. However the downside is that the show is done in 3 languages all in the same show. For example, when an actress is doing a dance scene and the story is being told, she has to dance for ages while the story section is said in the 3 languages. This means for the audience who are watching it can be a little tedious when the language being spoken isn't understood and you are waiting for it to be told in English! Ideally the show would benefit from doing a show in one language at a time maybe by doing pre set days of the week for each language. This would make it easier to enjoy for all visitors. The languages it was done in were French, (the second main language of Tunisia) German and English. I think it also felt a bit dragged out because of how long it took to do each scene in the three separate languages.
Other information: The show is not all that is in the Parc as there is also a restaurant too and an olive grove along with a shop to buy souvenirs. However we only saw the show so I cannot really comment on any of the other things at the parc which is a bit of a shame really as it would have been nice to have a full evening there. Also when you arrive for the show you get given a huge fleece robe to wear to keep you warm as it is outdoors. Also make sure you pick up the free mats to sit on as you go through the arena entrance doors as otherwise you bum gets a bit sore from sitting on the hard concrete!
Cost: We only saw the show but for a full evening with meal and show along with transfers from resort you'd be looking at paying around £25 per adult.
Overall opinion: It is good and it's something different to just spending a night walking around the resort where you are staying - it is a way of learning a bit of the history in a more fun way and it is also fun with the robes you get given so overall I would say if you are in Tunisia then give it a look.
