[VARI-LITE LOGO]


NEWS RELEASE
------------
For Immediate Publication


            VARI-LITE INTERNATIONAL, INC. ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO SELL
           OPERATIONS IN BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS, FRANCE AND SWEDEN

DALLAS, TX /Amsterdam (The Netherlands) - July 25, 2000 - Vari-Lite
International, Inc. (Nasdaq: LITE) announced today that it has entered into a
letter of intent to sell its operations in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and
Sweden to an investment company which owns Focus Showequipment B.V. in
Amsterdam.

"The sale of our continental European operations will allow the company to
focus its attention on the development, manufacture and sale of its
VARI*LITE-Registered Trademark- automated lighting systems and continued
operation of our rental and production services offices in North America, Asia
and London," said Rusty Brutsche, chief executive officer of the company.

The purchaser's strategy will build on the reputation of both Focus
Showequipment (Amsterdam) and EML (Brussels/Utrecht), both leading production
services companies in the Benelux, serving the various segments of the
entertainment industry (theatre, concerts, broadcast, film, corporate events
and conferences). Together with operations built by Vari-Lite in France and
Sweden, the purchaser intends to develop a branded international network of
professional organizations in Northern and Western Europe. The cooperation
between the different operations and the combination of knowledge, experience
and equipment will allow the purchaser to best serve its local and European
customers. All companies owned by the purchaser will be authorized
VARI*LITE-Registered Trademark- dealers. In the Netherlands, in the course of
the year, the operations of Vari-Lite Production Services - Amsterdam/EML will
be integrated with the operations of Focus Showequipment in Amsterdam.

The sale is subject to various conditions, but is scheduled to be completed in
September 2000.

Vari-Lite International is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and
distributor of proprietary automated lighting systems. The company also
provides related equipment and services to the entertainment industry, serving
markets such as concert touring, theater, television and film and corporate
events. The company sells and rents its VARI*LITE-Registered Trademark-
automated lighting systems through a domestic and international network of
Vari-Lite offices and independent dealers.

Vari-Lite International, Inc. shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol LITE.

The foregoing paragraphs contain certain forward-looking statements made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Although the Company believes the expectations contained in
such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that
such expectations will prove to be correct. These expectations may involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to
such differences include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in the
Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
--------------------------------

For the Sellers:                                         For the Purchasers:
VARI-LITE INTERNATIONAL, INC.                            SEVEN OAKS
JERRY L. TROJAN                                          HANS VAN DER WIND
VICE PRESIDENT - FINANCE AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


                                                  Vari-Lite International, Inc.
                                                                  201 Regal Row
                                                           Dallas, Texas  75247
                                                             phone 214.630.1963
                                                               fax 214.630.5867



214-819-3244                                                  +31 (0)20 3116740


























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