EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
    We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of Vari-Lite
International, Inc. and Subsidiaries on Form S-1 of our report dated August 27,
1997 (October  , 1997, as to the first paragraph of Note F) on the consolidated
financial statements, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this
Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the
heading "Experts" in such Prospectus, which is part of this Registration
Statement.
 
   
Dallas, Texas
October  , 1997
    
 
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    The consolidated financial statements of Vari-Lite International, Inc. and
Subsidiaries appearing in the above Prospectus are presented to give effect to
the Company's reincorporation in Delaware and related recapitalization, in which
the shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock will be converted into shares of
the Company's new common stock and a class of preferred stock will be
authorized, as described in Note F to the consolidated financial statements. On
the effective date of the Registration Statement, the above consent is in the
form that we will sign upon the effectiveness of such events assuming that, from
August 27, 1997 to the effective date of such events, no other material events
have occurred which would affect the consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto.
 
   
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, Texas
October 10, 1997