"Imagine loving the theatre all of your life and then, suddenly or gradually, your hearing deteriorates and you can no longer hear the music or words clearly, if at all."
For many people, captioning is what makes it possible to continue enjoying live theatre.
For more than a decade, Jan Cowan and Elaine Quine have helped make performances at the Gaiety Theatre accessible to deaf, deafened and hard of hearing audiences through their work as volunteer captioners.
Following the recent captioned performance of Rock of Ages, the pair have retired from their roles, bringing to a close many years of dedication to a service that has enabled countless audience members to enjoy live theatre.
As we thank Jan and Elaine for their commitment, it's worth taking a closer look at why captioning matters, and what goes on behind the scenes to make it possible.
The difference captioning makes
Much like subtitles on television, captions display dialogue, song lyrics and descriptions of important sounds on an LED screen positioned alongside the stage. Character names, sound effects and musical cues are all included, helping audience members follow the action as it unfolds.
For many people, captioning opens the door to experiences that might otherwise become inaccessible. It allows audiences to follow the story, enjoy the music and share the experience with family and friends.
Captioning was introduced at the Gaiety Theatre in 2012 as part of a commitment to making live performance more accessible on the Isle of Man. Over the years, feedback has highlighted the positive impact it has had, not only for deaf, deafened and hard of hearing audiences, but also for some people with learning disabilities who find it easier to follow a production by reading the text on screen.
Elaine has also heard from audience members who appreciate being able to catch dialogue that can sometimes be difficult to hear over the orchestra, while others have discovered they've been singing the wrong lyrics to favourite songs for years.
For some, captioning enhances a performance. For others, it makes the difference between partially following a show and fully enjoying it.
It serves as a reminder that a relatively simple adjustment can make a transformative difference to someone's theatre experience.
Behind the captions
While audiences see only the finished result, every captioned performance involves hours of preparation.
The process begins weeks before the show. Scripts must be sourced and checked, often line by line, against the version being used by the performing company. Captioners attend rehearsals to note changes, pauses and variations before filming the dress rehearsal at the Gaiety Theatre.
The real work begins afterwards. The script is transferred into specialist software and carefully matched to the performance. Recordings are reviewed multiple times to fine-tune timing, punctuation, sound effects and musical cues, ensuring captions appear at exactly the right moment during the live show.
Unlike television subtitles, these captions are delivered live. During the performance, each line is sent to the display as actors speak or sing, requiring concentration, precision and quick reactions when the unexpected happens.
As Elaine explains, timing is everything:
"Keeping the timing of sending each line right, not too soon and not too late, is really important. Some shows are really fast-paced and keeping up can be a challenge."
And in live theatre, the unexpected often happens.
If a performer accidentally skips a section of dialogue or jumps ahead in the script, the captioner must rapidly locate the new position and continue without disrupting the audience's experience.
"If a section of script has been missed out altogether, staying calm, clearing the screen and finding the new place to rejoin is a challenge, but it is always okay in the end."
Captioners are also responsible for displaying pre-show information, safety announcements, interval messages and, if required, emergency instructions.
It is a role that demands focus, flexibility and a genuine passion for making theatre accessible.
A love of theatre and a rewarding experience
Jan was one of the first volunteers trained in captioning by Stagetext in 2012, alongside another volunteer. When they left the Island in 2015, Elaine was trained to join Jan, beginning a partnership that continued for more than a decade.
Jan first became involved after a friend suggested volunteering while she was working at the Arts Council.
"I was intrigued and did some research into the subject and, horrified at the thought of not being able to enjoy the theatre due to hearing loss, decided it was something well worth doing."
Over the years, both volunteers gained a unique perspective on theatre-making, seeing productions develop from the first rehearsal through to performance.
Jan has particularly valued the opportunity to witness young performers develop their talents and progress to leading roles both on and off the Island.
"I've loved watching the process of each show, from rehearsal to performance in our beautiful Gaiety Theatre, meeting such wonderfully talented actors, directors, musicians, technicians and the largely unsung backstage crew."
She added:
"This Island has an endless supply of brilliantly talented actors, dancers and musicians - we are so very lucky."
For Elaine, one memory stands out above all others: her very first captioned performance.
Captioning Blackadder II was a nerve-wracking introduction to the role, particularly when a performer skipped almost an entire page of script during a crucial scene.
"I was really nervous! In one of the episodes they lost about a page of script when someone messed up their cue. The first line they missed was a really funny one and I accidentally sent it, so the audience got the joke! It took me a little while to find where they were in the script, but I picked it back up and carried on."
Fortunately, there was also a reward for all those rehearsals.
"Later came the part where Lord Flashheart gallops onto the stage - that was well worth waiting for."
After years of watching performances with one eye on the stage and the other on the script, Jan and Elaine can now sit back and enjoy the theatre in a very different way.
For Jan, one of the biggest changes will be attending performances without thinking about cues, pauses, sound effects or whether a performer has missed a line.
"Without captioning prep, I simply won't know when those things occur."
Reflecting on her years as a volunteer, she summed up the experience simply:
"It has been a privilege that I wouldn't have missed for the world."
Thank you, Jan and Elaine
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Jan and Elaine for their years of dedication.
Their work has helped make the Gaiety Theatre a more welcoming and inclusive place, ensuring that more people can share in the enjoyment of live performance.
We wish them both a long, happy and well-deserved retirement, with nothing to focus on except enjoying the show.
Could you help continue their work?
With Jan and Elaine stepping down, new volunteers are needed to help continue this valuable service at the Gaiety Theatre for 2027 and beyond.
Training is provided, and while the role requires commitment, preparation and concentration, it is also a fascinating and rewarding way to support accessibility while becoming part of the Island's vibrant theatre community.
If you love theatre and would like to help ensure more people can enjoy live performances, we'd love to hear from you.
To find out more about volunteering as a captioner, please get in touch with us at villagaiety@gov.im