Honest Review of Audien translation device in Aladdin on Broadway – Is It Worth Trying?

This time, I watched the Broadway musical Aladdin using an audio translation device. Inside the New Amsterdam Theatre, there is a small booth near the souvenir shop where you can borrow translation devices.

Previously, we introduced the translation device Audio Trans and explained how it works and which shows support it. This time, I wanted to find out how this multilingual audio translation system actually performs, so I tried it myself. Here is my honest review.

• Translation device rental guide summary >>

Borrowing the “Audien” translation device

The booth was managed by a friendly older staff member.
When you tell them your preferred language (I chose Japanese), they will hand you a small Audien translation device. The service is free of charge, but you may be asked to show an ID as a deposit or for registration.

What you need to borrow the translation device

– A valid photo ID (passport or driver’s license)
– No rental fee required (Aladdin provides the device for free)

If you’re visiting from abroad, a passport is the safest option for identification. The staff will hold it securely and return it after the show. The device itself is easy to use—just a power button and volume dial.

Already powered on for you

The device is handed to you turned on, so once the show begins, the narration will start automatically. Nothing plays during musical numbers, and guests are encouraged to keep one ear free for the live vocals. After the show, return the unit to the same booth. The staff ensure that each headset is properly cleaned and sanitized before reuse.

How and when the translation plays

I was curious to see how the translation worked in practice. At first, there was silence during the opening scene, then a pleasant female voice began speaking a few seconds later. Rather than directly translating each line, the narration describes the onstage action—for example, “Jasmine says something and runs off.”

The delay was about three seconds, which can feel long in a fast-paced show like Aladdin. Since the narration doesn’t include the songs, you hear only dialogue summaries, not full translations. It’s helpful for context but not ideal if you expect real-time subtitles.

As the staff explained, the narration pauses during musical numbers so the audience can enjoy the live performance.

Honest thoughts after trying the “Audien” system

If you’re seeing a Broadway show for the first time or are unfamiliar with the story, this free translation service can be useful. However, for a well-known show like Aladdin, full of vibrant songs and dancing, you may enjoy it more by simply watching and feeling the atmosphere—even if you don’t understand every word.

Having another voice in one ear was more distracting than I expected. Personally, I think on-screen captions would be easier to follow. If you want to understand the dialogue without losing the live sound, the GalaPro app is another good option. It provides real-time captions directly on your phone without affecting the music or sound balance.

Also check out our Aladdin show reports

Read our two-part Aladdin show reports here:

• Aladdin show report part 1: meeting the lead cast (with photos) >>

• Aladdin show report part 2: rare clips and behind-the-scenes stories >>

• Translation device rental guide summary >>

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