While surtitles and creative captioning are becoming more common in theater, Rice observes that musicals have yet to embrace them as widely as operas.

Despite its challenges, including difficulties with choral pieces that hindered its success, Chess is slated for a return to Broadway in autumn 2025.

Rice also noted the growing acceptance of subtitles in television, especially among younger viewers, with a study revealing that 80% of individuals aged 18 to 25 regularly utilize them.

Sir Tim Rice, an esteemed songwriter, is advocating for the regular use of surtitles in stage musicals, as he believes audiences often struggle to fully grasp the lyrics.

Echoing Rice's perspective, renowned actress Patti LuPone pointed out that many lyrics are frequently misheard due to inadequate projection and sound mixing by younger performers.

He believes that writing humorous lyrics provides greater creative freedom, allowing for effective wordplay and rhymes that enhance comedic impact.

In his current collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber on a comedy play titled 'Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas,' Rice describes his role as contributing light, humorous moments rather than engaging in a full musical collaboration.

This new play is set to be staged at Birmingham Rep this winter, showcasing Rice's continued involvement in theater.

Reflecting on past performances, Rice recalled a 2008 rendition of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall, where the use of on-screen lyrics significantly boosted audience engagement.

At 80 years old, Rice is celebrated for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber on iconic musicals such as Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Humorously, Rice suggested that theater directors might resist the implementation of surtitles, fearing they could distract from the visual aspects of the performance.

Critic Michael Billington previously highlighted the advantages of surtitles in a revival of Evita, noting that unclear vocal delivery detracted from the overall performance.