The play begins in a factory that makes artificial people, called roboti (robots), from synthetic organic matter. They are not exactly robots by the current definition of the term: they are living flesh and blood creatures.
Play title: R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots)
Author (s): Karel Capek, Paul Selver, Nigel Playfair, Alan William Landes
Publisher: Penguin Books, Aventinum
Publication Date: 2004 (Penguin), 1920 (Aventinum)
Genre: Drama
Primary Discipline: Genetics
Secondary Discipline: Technology
Scientist (s): Fictional
Source Texts: Unknown
Character Breakdown: Humans: 6m, 2f;
Harry Domin (Domain): General Manager, R.U.R.
Fabry: Chief Engineer, R.U.R.
Dr. Gall: Head of the Physiological Department, R.U.R.
Dr. Hellman (Hallemeier): Psychologist-in-Chief
Jacob Berman (Busman): Managing Director, R.U.R.
Alquist: Clerk of the Works, R.U.R.
Helena Glory: President of the Humanity League, daughter of President Glory
Emma (Nana): Helena’s maid
Robots: 4m, 2f;
Marius, a robot
Sulla, a robotess
Radius, a robot
Primus, a robot
Helena, a robotess
Daemon (Damon), a robot
Setting: A factory
Time Period: 1920, then several years after
Synopsis of Play: The play begins in a factory that makes artificial people, called roboti (robots), from synthetic organic matter. They are not exactly robots by the current definition of the term: they are living flesh and blood creatures rather than machinery and are closer to the modern idea of clones or replicants. They may be mistaken for humans and can think for themselves. They seem happy to work for humans at first, but a robot rebellion leads to the extinction of the human race.
First Performance Date: January 25th, 1921
First Producer: National Theater, Prague
Performance History: R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) had its first performance on January 25th, 1921 at the National Theater in Prague. The play introduced the word “robot” and was the first piece of science fiction ever broadcast on television. It was made into a 35 minute, TV adaptation on the BBC in 1938. https://www.tor.com/2012/10/30/sff-onstage-rossums-universal-robots-rur/
Review Links:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ott-0920-on-the-fringe-20130918-story.html
https://mdtheatreguide.com/2013/07/fringe-review-r-u-r/
https://www.theatreview.org.nz/reviews/review.php?id=8810
http://chicagotheaterbeat.com/2013/09/16/review-r-u-r-rossums-universal-robots-strangeloop-theatre/
Entered by: Meaghan Yesford
Production Photos:
1928-1929, Theatre Guild 1928-1929, Theatre Guild
1928-1929, Theatre Guild December 2013, Arts Building, Rotunda
2017, National Youth Theatre
