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Subtitles on smart glasses

Smart glasses project the subtitles, see-through, into the audience member’s field of view. So they can follow the show without ever looking away from the stage.

The magic of the stage,
always before your eyes.

Theatregoer following the show with smart glasses that display the subtitles
Theatregoer with smart glasses seen from behind: subtitles appear a few metres away, below the actress on stage

Smart glasses can be worn over your own glasses.

Subtitles appear in your field of view, a few metres away and below the stage: you watch the show without looking away.

The system brings subtitles straight onto smart glasses. It uses Epson® Moverio technology. LYRI is an official reseller. The text appears see-through, like a natural extension of your gaze. Visual comfort is excellent. An operator always keeps the text in sync with the action on stage.

The accessible subtitles also include a description of sounds. So the audience gets all the information and keeps the stage in view. There is no need to look at external screens, so they can enjoy the magic on stage.

The benefits of our service:

No visual distraction: the see-through projection lets you read while keeping your eyes on the action on stage. You do not need to look at other devices.

Accessible and complete subtitles: perfect for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. The text can also describe sounds. So you can follow every moment of the performance, with everything in view.

Top visual quality: Epson® lenses give sharp, clear text. It is easy to read, even for a long time.

Wear them over your own glasses: Epson® smart glasses sit comfortably over prescription glasses.

Many languages: subtitles on smart glasses can be shown in different languages. Each person picks the translation they prefer from those on offer.

Real-time sync: an operator in the auditorium keeps the text in time with the action on stage. Reading stays smooth and quick throughout the performance.

Zero light pollution: the glasses keep the image within the wearer’s field of view. The rest of the auditorium stays dark. People sitting nearby are not disturbed.

Device supply: LYRI is an authorised Epson® Moverio reseller. We can also supply theatres with the hardware they need for the service.

We have enabled
smart glasses for:

TSV - Teatro Stabile del Veneto - Teatro Nazionale
Teatro Stabile del Veneto - Teatro Nazionale (Padova, Treviso, Venezia), Centro Servizi Culturali San Chiara (Trento), Teatro del Giglio (Lucca)

Il gabbiano (directed by Filippo Dini)

English surtitles. On the LYRI app, accessible Italian subtitles with sound description, and English subtitles. Italian audio introduction played in the auditorium. Italian audio description in the LYRI app. We gave the service at every date of the tour. This was in Padua, Treviso, Venice and the theatres of Trento and Lucca.
SERVICES OFFERED
Surtitles
English surtitles
Subtitles
Accessible Italian subtitles with sound description in app
Smartphone and tablet
LYRI app
Smart glasses
Subtitles on smart glasses
Earpiece
Audio introduction and audio description
Two actors kneeling on stage, with a deckchair and a small table behind them, in “Il gabbiano” directed by Filippo Dini

Teatro Stabile del Veneto “Carlo Goldoni” (TSV) is a major Italian theatre institution. It was founded in 1992. It is recognised as a National Theatre. It runs the seasons of the Teatro Goldoni in Venice and the Teatro Verdi in Padua. It promotes the making and sharing of theatre culture. It pays special attention to classical drama and to Carlo Goldoni.
TSV promotes access for all. It wants to remove physical, sensory and cognitive barriers. It offers shows with audio description and subtitles in the LYRI app, and on smart glasses too. This makes the experience open to everyone.
“Il gabbiano” (The Seagull) was directed by Filippo Dini. With this production, the accessible-for-all model also reached one performance in Trento and one in Lucca.

Subtitles on smart glasses FAQ

This list gathers the questions people ask most about subtitles on smart glasses.

Are smart glasses always available at the theatre?

Smart glasses are collected at the theatre, just before the performance starts. They are only available for specific events and at theatres that ask for them and plan to use them. It is best to always check with the organiser in advance whether the devices are available.

Can the text projected inside the glasses be moved?

Yes, you can move the text up or down. You can see it above or below the stage, whichever is more comfortable, depending on where you sit in the theatre.

Are Epson® Moverio smart glasses comfortable to wear for the whole performance?

They’re fantastic! They are currently the most advanced technology on the market. Inside the glasses are very high-quality displays and optical parts. This makes the device solid. It also gives very sharp, clear see-through text, with no eye strain. After a long time they can feel a little heavy, but it’s worth it!

Is a local internet connection needed for them to work? Do they need to connect to a specific Wi-Fi network?

Yes. The devices must be online. This way they get the text, in sync in real time, from our cloud server. The theatre or organisation usually sets up a dedicated, high-capacity network. If there is none, we install a dedicated network ourselves.

Can you choose the language of the subtitles and content yourself?

Of course. In the control interface you choose your preferred language in real time, from those the production makes available.

Can I use the smart glasses if I already wear prescription glasses?

Yes. The glasses fit over your own glasses. They sit well on top of prescription lenses. The experience is open to everyone.

Can the light projected by the lenses disturb the audience nearby?

No disturbance at all. The glasses’ displays are designed with great precision. The projection stays within the wearer’s field of view. The rest of the auditorium stays perfectly dark.

Can you supply the smart glasses to our theatre?

Yes. LYRI is an authorised Epson® Moverio reseller and can also supply theatres with the hardware needed for the service.

Do the subtitles include a description of sounds?

Yes, they can. This way you follow every moment of the show, with everything in front of your eyes.

Who are the smart glasses for?

For anyone who wants to read the subtitles without looking away from the stage. They are especially useful for deaf or hard-of-hearing people and for international audiences, who choose their preferred language.

How long does the battery last?

The battery lasts about 3 hours.

Can I use them from any seat in the auditorium?

Yes, from any seat. You can also move the texts vertically, above or below the stage, depending on where you are sitting.

How do I collect and return them?

You collect them at the entrance, leaving an ID document, and return them at the end of the show. Then you just put them on and choose the event.