Articles and Stories

December 9, 2015

The Welsh-speaking theatre company, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, is giving audiences who don’t speak Welsh an opportunity to enjoy their productions via their new app. The translation app, called Sibrwd, will allow viewers who speak English to listen through headphones to translated speech, or if they prefer, receive the dialogue via text message on any smart device.

The company has said that during some productions up to 20 percent of the audience was using Sibrwd. Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru has been using the app, which was specially designed for them, in all of their performances since May.

While the app was originally developed for translation purposes, it can also be used for hearing impaired theatre goers, who could utilize the text feature to read the performances. Artistic director, Arwel Gruffydd, has hopes that the technology can be adapted for multiple uses beyond language. Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru plans to launch Sibrwd commercially within the next year and in doing so may be able to collaborate with others in the art field to further develop the app.

The Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru will perform their production of Chwalfa in February at Bangor’s new arts center, Pontio. Of course, audiences will have access to the Sibrwd tool during those shows.