A projection system. The system includes a first polarizer (102); and an electro-optical light scattering medium (103) disposed in a transmissive path between the first polarizer and a light source (108, 109, 110). A plane of polarization of the first polarizer is substantially parallel to a plane of polarization of the light source. The light scattering medium is switchable from a first state to a second state in response to an applied electrical field. The electro-optical light scattering medium in the first state forms a bright region in the projection display and in the second state forms a dark region in the projection display. The transmission path makes a single pass through the light scattering medium.