I SAT down for this sound and light show expecting to sit through a dry, bottom-numbing history lesson on Weymouth.

Instead, I was taken on a whirlwind ride through the town’s most dramatic moments – one of which I was even around for!

Starting way back when, or more precisely 185 million years ago with the formation of the Jurassic Coast, this well thought out production took its audience on a time-travelling adventure all the way through to the 2012 Olympics.

And it was a smoother ride than Dr Who’s tardis, with each scenario segueing seamlessly into the next.

The sea shanties sung by Dorset Wrecks were enrapturing.

Their voices rang out across the fort from the ramparts and the group was beautifully illuminated by laser light with the night sky and a few twinkling stars behind creating the most unique of backdrops.

There were some parts in the show I couldn’t connect with as well, such as contemporary dancers representing the sea in the Spanish Armada section.

And the visuals for the ‘George III visiting Weymouth’ segment were a little on the disturbing side, with the resort’s famed statue coming to life and blinking away in a creepy manner on the projection screen, taking the focus off the graceful Regency dancing in front of us.

The second half of the show tested the most stoic of audience members.

Young Charlie Vaughan’s solo of In Flanders Field was truly moving, perfectly followed by Weymouth Dance Studio dancers interpreting I Was Here by Beyonce in front of visuals of poppy fields.

Without a shadow of a doubt, this was my favourite piece of the show – daring, different and cleverly thought out with sound and visuals perfectly complementing each other.

It took my breath away.

Moving forward to the Second World War and a rousing rendition of We’ll Meet Again, the show then saw the Sea Cruise Jivers reminding us of glory days of seaside holidays and the Portland Navy days in the 1950s and 60s.

The Weymouth Lifeboat scene by Weymouth Drama Club, dramatising a sea rescue, was full of tension and took on an added air of poignancy, days ahead of the coastguard’s Weymouth harbourside operations centre closing for good.

And that took us to just over two years ago with the sight of the white suited torchbearers and the purple-clad Olympic ambassadors stirring some recent memories.

All the different groups involved in the production worked together well and full credit has to go to the stage hands – with boats, stretchers and all manner of props whisked on and off stage with precision timing.

The fireworks at the end were a fitting finale to a production that educated me in entertaining fashion, had me gasping with surprise and feeling very fond of the wonderful town we call home.

- The final performance of Son et Lumiere is tonight at 8pm. Tickets are available from the Nothe Fort or Weymouth Pavilion.