- July 21, 2025
- Parisian theatre
- Angela Spidahl, Emma Houelle
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Blog last updated on 30 January 2026.
Introducing Smart Surtitling Glasses at the Comédie-Française
Discover how the solution on smart surtitling glasses developed by Panthea are revolutionizing the traditional experience at the Comédie-Française, making its timeless productions accessible to a wider and more international audience.
The Comédie-Française… an institution deeply woven into the fabric of French identity. Established in 1680 as a tribute to the incomparable Molière, it stands not just as France's oldest theatre, but as one of the most venerable stages on the global theatrical landscape.
For centuries, the Comédie-Française troupe has captivated audiences both at home and abroad. While their repertoire remains rooted in the classical masterpieces, they've also embraced the vibrancy of contemporary plays, ensuring their timeless artistry resonates with a diverse and ever-evolving audience.
Even with its rich traditions, the Comédie-Française is far from stuck in the past. It masterfully blends its esteemed heritage with a forward-thinking embrace of modernity and technology. This commitment to accessibility shines through in its groundbreaking 2024 partnership with Panthea, our sister company. Through this collaboration, the Comédie-Française now offers free smart surtitling glasses, an innovative solution that allows English-speaking, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing spectators to fully immerse themselves in every performance, breaking down barriers and enriching the theatrical experience for all.
What are Smart Surtitling Glasses?
In 2024, Theatre in Paris’ sister company, Panthea, embarked on a landmark partnership with the Comédie-Française. This collaboration allows the theatre to offer complimentary smart surtitling glasses, providing a seamless experience for English-speaking audiences as well as those who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
More specifically, the smart surtitling glasses employed for Comédie-Française projects allow viewers to watch performances with surtitles in English, French, French for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences (français adapté), and French Sign Language (LSF)! Thanks to this innovative technological solution, every audience member can enjoy a great show in the way that suits them best.
How do smart surtitling glasses work?
Smart surtitling glasses, or augmented reality glasses, are glasses equipped with a new accessibility solution developed by Panthea that allows surtitles to be displayed in a spectator's field of vision during a performance as floating, holographic text. A smartphone connected to the glasses allow you to choose the language, colour, brightness and placement of your surtitles, providing a completely personalised experience. You’ll just need to put them on, and voilà, the surtitles will materialize before your eyes as a holographic display!
The translations and smart glasses don't run on artificial intelligence (AI). Instead, they're the result of professional translators and, on the night of the performance, a surtitle operator. This guarantees that the translations capture all the nuances of the literary text, and that your surtitle experience during the show precisely keeps pace with the live performance on stage.
In addition to these surtitles, these AR glasses can also be connected to headphones for audio description and display a video in sign language, depending on the show.
What do the smart glasses look like?
These smart glasses are worn like ordinary glasses. You'll notice they're a bit heavier, as they need to be wired to a small, separate smartphone that allows you to personalise the settings.
Can smart glasses be worn with prescription glasses, hearing implants or hearing aids?
Yes, Panthea’s Smart Glasses can be worn over prescription glasses and at the same time as hearing implants or hearing aids. In the rare event that wearing both devices is uncomfortable, we offer cords to hold the glasses in place behind the head, as opposed to on the ears.
How to Book Smart Surtitling Glasses at the Comédie-Française
Looking to book a show with smart surtitling glasses? You can grab them right from the Theatre in Paris website for free! Just head over to the “Shows” tab of this page and filter for performances that offer smart glasses, or simply click here.
Picking Up Your Smart Glasses the Evening of the Performance
On the evening of the performance, you will pick up your surtitling glasses at the Panthea reception desk next to the main reception at the Salle Richelieu of the Comédie-Française.
The Panthea staff will show you how to use the device and be able to answer any questions you may have about using the glasses. For other Parisian theatres hosting Comédie-Française productions for the 2025-2026 season, you can also collect the glasses from the Panthea reception desk, as in the Salle Richelieu.
Did you forget to reserve your smart glasses when booking your tickets?
If you forget to add the glasses when you book your tickets, no sweat! You can still add them to your reservation by emailing hello@theatreinparis.com. Or, you can always try your luck at the Panthea counter on the evening of the show and see if they have any left.
Comédie-Française Shows with Smart Glasses
With some of the most acclaimed directors, costume designers and creative teams in the world, the Comédie-Française consistently prepares world-class productions (especially of the classics) and this year is no exception!
Thanks to the innovative smart surtitling glasses developed in collaboration with Panthea, many performances at the Comédie-Française and in partner venues around Paris are accessible to a broader audience.
For the latest information about the new theatre season at the Comédie-Française and upcoming productions, check Theatre in Paris’ dedicated article: The New Season at Comédie-Française
Panthea and Theatre in Paris are Thrilled to Welcome and Assist You!
We hope you enjoyed the read!
Panthea and Theatre in Paris are so excited to bring you accessible and inclusive Comédie-Française shows, all thanks to Panthea's innovative accessibility solution!
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