VX Labs Captioning: Report Published
We are excited to announce that we have just published findings from our first VX Lab on Creative Captioning which explores captioning in bilingual / multilingual plays.
The report is designed to inform industry peers – venues, producers, theatre-makers and designers – of questions to ask and approaches to adopt and develop as part of a creative captioning process.
Dr Mandy Precious, who leads the project, explains;
“At a time of tight budgets and falling audiences, prioritising access initiatives can feel counter-intuitive. Captions are often viewed as an add-on for a niche audience and are often reductive and limited rather than creative, but we saw their potential for them to do much more. With captioning technology more accessible than ever, we asked: how could they become part of the creative process, enrich storytelling and engage with an even wider audience.”
Josh Elliot, Vital Xposure’s Artistic Director writes;
‘This lab provides concrete evidence for what our community of disabled artists have always known: captioning isn’t just access – it’s art. It should sit alongside light, sound, costume, and set as a creative opportunity for theatre-makers of all stripes.’
Why does creative captioning matter?
Around 18 million UK adults are d/Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. A 2023 YouGov study found that Gen Z and Millennials, a demographic key to audience development, prefer using subtitles with 63% of 18–29-year-olds watching TV in their native language with subtitles. Stagetext reports that 42% of UK viewers use subtitles to aid their concentration with 24% using captions or subtitles at live events.
Bilingual/multilingual captions are also in demand. 18% of the UK identifies as part of the Global Majority. Assuming a regular distribution of d/Deaf people across this demography, that’s over 3 million people from these communities who may benefit from captioning, along with many communities who are not hearing impaired but for whom English is not their first language.
What has the report found?
The report specifically investigates the use of captions in bilingual productions. It looks at colour, style and language indicators and explores the tension between creativity and accessibility, particularly how to balance the two.
It considers who captions are for, and offers guidance on how to be intentional and clear in their use. It also examines how power and privilege may influence language choices and translation.
We encourage everyone to read and engage with our findings as part of their journey towards a more inclusive industry. We hope the report will support the development of inclusive practices within theatre and the wider sector.
Read the report from the VX Labs on Creative Captioning
Deepa Shastri, Theatre Relationship Manager, Arts Council England, said:
“We’re proud to support this exciting research led by Vital Xposure, which explores how bilingual creative captioning can make theatre more inclusive—particularly for wider audiences who are often marginalised because of their intersectionality.
By demonstrating the tangible benefits of the inclusive practice, the project has the potential to help normalise captioning practices across the sector. Its intersectional and collaborative approach signals a positive shift in how individuals and organisations embed accessibility and innovation from the very start of the theatre-making process. We look forward to seeing how the programme and its findings evolve with each new lab.”
Selina Busby, Professor of Applied and Social Theatre, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, said:
“Accessibility for theatre buildings, makers and audiences needs to be an absolute priority across our industry. Sadly this is not yet the case and access is often an after thought during the production process. This lab considered how things could be different by placing captioning at the heart of the theatre making and rehearsal process along side other design elements in order more fully integrate captions to both improve accessibility and enhance the whole theatre going experience for all audience members.”
Further VX Labs in 2025 include Decolonising Disability in collaboration with Bristol Old Vic, and a Children and Young People’s Lab in collaboration with Z-arts.
We will be sharing our findings from these labs later this year. Watch this space!
