Hi Olga. Interesting question ...! i saw an Opera in Prague with very large subtitles above the stage. In my former job, i also organised many cultural events among which a French play (Stupeurs et tremblemnets) for a tour in Brasil,  15 different dates/cities.

We also chose the option of having the screen for subtitles above the stage in most theaters but this choice depends on  the infrastructure of the theater itself (roof structure and first of all the presence or absence of space between  the spotlights). When people are seated, they have to be able to read the subtitles comfortably without having to move their head too much and without being blinded by the spotlights.

The most demanding part was the timing, you have to calculate accurately the precise moment the subtitle has to be changed in order to avoid having the actors saying something and the subtitle being late or too much in advance. (It is worse to be late, a little in advance is less of a problem). In order to ease the timing, you can choose to translate as little as possible, as opposed to trying to translate everything. The non verbal comunication of good actors  will help people  understand what is going on and you dont want the public to  look at the screen only as if it were a film.... 

Hope that can help a little. Now i am curious about your play ! :=))

https://www.geneveopera.ch/fr/programmation/saison-16-17/la-boheme/

Here is agood example of subtitles in a foreign language those days in Geneva with an interesting cast !

By the way Olga, i forgot to mention, we used Power Point...easy and sufficient.

Hi Chris! Thanks a lot! Have you seen La Boheme? It was really good. and subtitles worked quite well. Yes the challenge is the timing. I have not really found reading the subtitles uncomfortable even it was not really on the best perfect place. I am working on The robber's ball at the moment. I will try to put them as close to the stage as possible because last time it was a bit high...:) we will see what people say after...

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience!

Bonjour Olga,

I could not go and see la Bohème unfortunately though it is my favourite. Sébastien Guèze (Rodolfo) is a friend of mine; i was sad not to be able to go. I also love the film (old now) with Barbara Hendricks, a very romantic version :=) !

Let us know when your play wil be in town ! :=)