Enjoy live Dutch performances with LiveText glasses
New! for hard of hearing or non Dutch visitors, at selected performances we offer our LiveText glasses. These smart AR glasses display real-time subtitles of everything being said on stage. Using AI-powered speech recognition, the actors' spoken words are instantly converted into written text, allowing you to follow the performance as it happens. The subtitles are available in 223+ languages, so you can choose the language that suits you best.
What does the text look like in the glasses?
Watch the video below to see how captions appear in the LiveText glasses. Throughout the performance, you can easily follow who is speaking, as each character is displayed with a corresponding character and colour.
Which performances can I use the LiveText glasses at?
You can use the LiveText glasses at the performances listed below, either at Het Nationale Theater in The Hague or at selected other venues across the Netherlands. Would you like to use the LiveText glasses for one of these performances?
LiveText tickets are available below.
Agenda
Found a performance?
Purchase your ticket using the booking link above.
Good to know: Please arrive ~30 minutes before the performance for a short explanation regarding the LiveText Glasses and how to use them. During the week of the performance, you will receive an email with additional information about your visit.
If you have any questions, or would like to register to use the LiveText glasses, please email livetext@hnt.nl
What will a visit with LiveText glasses entail?
When you choose to visit our theatre to try the glasses, we’ll give you an explanation regarding the settings of the LiveText glasses. For example, you can choose where you place the subtitles and in which languages you want to read. During the performance every unique character has their own name making it easier to follow whose speaking. The video below is a short impression of what you’ll see through the glasses.
Which languages work best?
The quality of the translations depends on the language, with some languages performing better than others.
Below, you can see how we and our users rate the translation quality for specific languages. A rating of 5 ★ is the highest.
| From | To | Rating |
| Dutch | - | ★★★★★ |
| English | ★★★★★ | |
| German | ★★★★ | |
| French | ★★★ | |
| Polish | ★★★ | |
| Italian | ★★★ | |
| Spain | ★★★ | |
| Turkish | ★★★ | |
| Arabic* | ★★ | |
| Portuguese* | ★★ | |
| Indonesian * | ★★ |
*A common feedback is that the translation model is confusing. It tends to scramble together different dialects or mixes formal and informal forms in one sentence.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay extra to use the LiveText glasses?
No, you don't have to pay extra; its use is completely free! Make sure to buy a ticket for a performance that offers the use of the glasses. Do make sure to send us an e-mail to reserve the glasses beforehand. You can reach us at livetext@hnt.nl
Can I wear my own glasses in combination with the LiveText glasses?
Yes! The LiveText glasses are designed with 3 different nose wings to make sure (almost) everyone can comfortably use them. If you have the option to comfortably choose between glasses and contacts, we advise wearing the contacts.
How many languages are good enough to follow?
The LiveText glasses support more than 200 different languages. However languages closest to Dutch will work the best. Right now languages such as Portugese or Indonesian are distracting due to their lower quality translations.
What happens if the LiveText glasses don't work or stop working?
With any (technical) issue we are ready to help to make sure you can enjoy the performance. We always test and explain the glasses with you beforehand, also
there are back up glasses ready in case anything unexpected happens.
Is it possible for an interpreter to be present during the performance?
Yes! There are a few shows where we offer an interpreter through ourselves in combination with the LiveText glasses. You can always arrange your own interpreter, and we will make sure everything is set up. If you do want one, make sure to contact us at livetext@hnt.nl so we know what to expect.
Haven't found what you were looking for?
We also offer the Non-Dutchie Series.
The Non-Dutchie Series is our handpicked selection of performances for which you do not need to understand Dutch. Discover a curated selection of ‘No Dutch Required’ theatre with performances by a variety of national and international artists, in our venues the Koninklijke Schouwburg, Theater aan het Spui and Zaal 3 – all for a discounted price!
Click the button below for more info or to order tickets.
Non-Dutchie Series
About HNTUnlimited
A visible or invisible disability should not be a barrier to enjoying a visit to the theatre. Sometimes, the right support or adjustments are all that's needed to make a performance accessible.
This season, we offer a range of accessibility services and adaptations for selected performances, helping more people experience theatre in a way that works for them. We work closely with several specialist organisations to make this possible.