Theatre’s bootleg recording problem might be getting a whole lot trickier

A TikTok video went semi-viral a few days ago, highlighting a surprising new frontier as theatre combats the illicit world of digital recording.

The user was expressing their concern about the fact an audience member had been recording footage from the Broadway production of Cabaret. That’s not exactly news, there are videos from Cabaret across the internet, but the big difference here is that they were recording not via their mobile phone, but instead through their smart glasses.

For those who may not know, smart glasses are wearable computer devices embedded in eyeglass frames. They function like a mini-computer or smartphone you wear on your face, with built-in cameras enable first-person photo/video capture, object recognition, or livestreams. They’re also becoming more and more accessible, price-wise.

Which in some ways is absolutely fantastic. Theatre can’t turn away from the exciting possibilities these smart glasses provide. For audience members with low vision or hearing loss, AR glasses could provide live captioning or audio description feeds with greater speed and efficiency. Again, the worlds of tech and theatre collide in fascinating and new ways.

But on the topic of bootlegs, which continues to be a buzzword across the theatre world, in practical terms smart glasses are harder for front-of-house staff and ushers to detect than phones or cameras. A pair of glasses can be recording video, streaming audio, or even transcribing in real time without the obvious signs of someone holding up a device. Some of these devices do not let external users know they’re filming.

This could make covert bootlegging easier and higher quality, since the performer’s perspective may be captured steadily and hands-free. If the glasses are linked with AI tools, they might also allow someone to capture stills, or even enhance low-light conditions, which could increase the value of illicit copies. While some brands would make this harder by having an LED light displaying when recording is in progress (though a small white LED may not be noticeable for open-air shows etcetera), some newer models have removed this feature.

How do theatres even think about clamping down on this? Bag checks and phone bans cover most risks, but glasses are common assistive or fashion items, so banning them wholesale is near-impossible. Venues might have to look at more expensive policies similar to cinema chains, where night-vision checks or anti-piracy surveillance is used, or even consider requiring audience members to disable or cover camera-equipped glasses on entry. Some productions already use “sealed bag” systems for phones, and the same could extend to smart glasses if their adoption becomes widespread.