Our smart AR and AI glasses with subtitles in 220+ languages is a worldwide first
This is a technological innovation for the performing arts: smart glasses that convert actors' spoken dialogue into real-time subtitles in 223 languages. Thanks to this new AI-powered technology, theatre performances are now accessible to anyone who wants to enjoy the theatre but speaks little or no Dutch, as well as to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Developed by Het Nationale Theater and XRAI, this innovative concept—called LiveText—will be available free of charge in its theatres and during touring productions from now on.
A new generation of smart glasses
Until now, smart glasses and subtitle solutions for theatre have only been available for a limited number of performances due to the labour-intensive preparation and implementation required. With LiveText, this has changed. The platform provides real-time subtitles in 223 languages on demand, including languages that use different writing systems, characters, and reading directions.
This makes theatre accessible not only to non-Dutch speakers but also to the 1.5 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the Netherlands. While the technology was developed for the performing arts, its applications extend far beyond theatre. It can also be used for multilingual conferences, international live events, and other settings where real-time multilingual accessibility is essential and an audio mixing table is present.
The LiveText concept was conceived by Het Nationale Theater and developed in partnership with XRAI, using Dante technology.
How the technology works
What makes this solution unique is that the subtitles are generated directly from the actors’ voices rather than from a preloaded script. Audio—whether spoken dialogue or singing—is captured through each actor’s individual microphone and routed via the sound desk to the software. The software transcribes the speech in real time, translates it when required, and instantly streams the subtitles to the smart glasses worn by audience members.
The subtitles appear at the same focal distance as the actors on stage, creating a comfortable and immersive viewing experience. Different text colours indicate which actor is speaking, making the dialogue easy to follow.
“We are proud to introduce this world-first innovation, making theatre more accessible for non-Dutch speakers, as well as for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. With LiveText, Het Nationale Theater is taking another important step towards making theatre truly accessible to everyone. We are committed to sharing our knowledge and experience with other theatres and producers. The more widely this technology is adopted across the sector, the more people in the Netherlands and around the world will be able to enjoy theatre without barriers.”
— Cees Debets, Theatre Director, Het Nationale Theater
Photo credits: Ali Parpaei
Video production and photo credits: Francine van der Wansem
Trying to lead the way in accessibility
The National Theatre has been actively working for many years to make theatre more accessible for people with disabilities. This project complements the existing accessibility services already in place. The innovation has been developed with the support of Cultuurloket DigitALL, the Municipality of The Hague, and Fonds 1818.
Starting September 2026, Het Nationale Theater will begin offering the smart glasses free of charge at selected performances in The Hague and during touring productions. Throughout the implementation period, audience feedback will be collected to further develop and improve the technology together with partner XRAI.
Your visit with the LiveText glasses
Would you like to use the LiveText smart glasses? On the page below, you can find which performances are available with this accessibility service. Please send an email to livetext@hnt.nl if you have any questions.
Made possible by:
LiveText concept development: Monique Rutten & Ivo Pas
Project lead: Alberto Quirico
With thanks to: Martijn Westerop, Willemijn Haasken and Thomas van der Want (HNTonbeperkt), Joost de Kleine Beek, and the dedicated technical team at the National Theatre.
Questions?
Are you a journalist and do you have press inquiries? Please contact Monique van den Berg at:
moniquevandenberg@hnt.nl | (+31) 6 15 90 73 54
For questions about the project or to request a test performance, please contact:
livetext@hnt.nl
