Rossum’s Universal Robots (R.U.R.)

Bo List, freely adapted from the play by Karel Čapek

Note

Not yet published.

Description

In 1920, Karel Čapek’s early science fiction classic R.U.R. coined the term “robot” and looked ahead to the wonders and dangers of artificial intelligence decades before it was cool to worry about such things. “Rossum’s Universal Robots” (“R.U.R.” for short) is a mysterious island factory that manufactures artificial human beings, run by the eccentric scientist Harry Rossum. When Helena Glory arrives to advocate for the rights of these machines, a series of events is set into motion that sees Harry and Helena married against the backdrop of a global robot uprising.

Production Info

Cast: 9 total (5 female, 4 male, doubling)
Full Length Dark Comedy (about 120 minutes)
Multiple Sets
Contemporary Costumes
Categories: , , Tag:
Reviews

Press Quotes

“Highly recommended. Bo List’s new adaptation of R.U.R. is a robust reboot … more entertaining [than the original], far more accessible and highly camp.” —Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review

“Cleverly uploads modern technology into Čapek’s work, changing the elusive ‘magic substance’ that brings robots to life with the real-life mystery of the inner workings of the ‘black box’ that comprises AI reasoning … All in all, R.U.R. provides the most LOLs I’ve ever had watching the downfall of civilization.” —Sheri Flanders, Chicago Reader

“Artificial intelligence or ‘automated ingenuity’ (otherwise known as A.I.) takes center stage in the freely adapted science fiction play … Originally written in 1920 by the Czech playwright Karel Čapek (who, incidentally, coined the term robot — meaning servitude), the story has been taken to new heights by adaptor Bo List … This world premiere production addresses the question of the day, namely: What can happen if A.I. goes rogue?” —Julia W. Rath, Around the Town Chicago

“Will robots or humanoids some day rule the world? A play written 105 years ago predicts the rise of the robot over its human creators. You can see the clever, prescient adaptation of this play … in a new work by Bo List … This story of humans and humanoids [includes] a wedding, a honeymoon, and a global robot uprising … List asks us to consider what A.I. (or ‘automated ingenuity’) will mean for our future. Do we really want A.I. to do all our work so we can play or dream or knit?” —Nancy S Bishop, Third Coast Review

“If robots take over the world what will their relationship be to humans? Will it be a carefree utopia with happy automatons cheerfully laboring away while people enjoy a life of leisure or will the robots develop ideas and aspirations of their own, eventually viewing their human creators as archaic inferior predecessors, in fact outdated models? … It also ultimately asks the question, ‘What does it mean to be human?'” —Jodie Jacobs, Chicago Theatre and Arts

About the Author

Author

  • Bo List

    Bo List is an award-winning educator, playwright, and director — born and raised in Lexington, KY. Plays include ROSSUM'S UNIVERSAL ROBOTS (R.U.R.), freely adapted from Karel Čapek (Premiere: City Lit Theater, Chicago), GHOST MUSIC (Premiere: Transylvania University, Lexington KY), LADIES OF LIBERTY (Premiere: Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington KY), FRANKENSTEIN (Premiere: Kentucky Conservatory Theatre), and THE LAST DRACULA (Premiere: Chance Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe). One-act plays include CANARY YELLOW (winner of the Father Hamblin Playwriting Award from Abingdon Theatre Company, NYC), I LEFT MY HEART IN KISSIMMEE (Premiere: BCTC), CLINK (Premiere: Buffalo United Artists), BUBBLY, GILBERT, OH, THE HUMANITIES!, and LOVE YOU TO PIECES. He also writes solo performances for the Kentucky Humanities Chautauqua series of historical dramas, with subjects including Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, Daniel Boone, Nancy Green (the original "Aunt Jemima"), and his great-great-great-great-great grandfather Henry Clay. He holds a BA in Theatre and an MFA in Directing from the University of Kentucky and University of Memphis Departments of Theatre and Dance, respectively.

  • Karel Čapek

    Karel Čapek (January 9, 1890 – December 25, 1938) was a Czech author, dramatist, critic, and journalist. He is best remembered for his contributions to science fiction, notably the play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) from 1920 — which introduced the term "robot" — and his 1936 novel War with the Newts. Born to a rural physician, Čapek struggled with a lifelong spinal condition, turning to writing as both vocation and solace. He studied philosophy in Prague, Berlin, and Paris, and by 1917 had established himself in Prague's literary and journalistic circles. Much of his work reflects a deep engagement with philosophical questions. Čapek was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature on seven occasions and passed away from pneumonia in December 1938.

About the Book

Book Information

Publisher BPPI
Publication Date
Pages 92
ISBN 9798888560648

Special Notes

Special Notes

Licensees are required to include the original stage producers credits in the following form on the title page in all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play and in all advertising in which the full cast appears in size of type not less than ten percent (10%) of the size of the title of the Play:

First produced by City Lit Theater in Chicago, under the direction of Brian Pastor.

Workshopped by Henry Clay High School, under the direction of Tom Wilkins.

The following must appear within all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play:
Rossum’s Universal Robots (R.U.R.) is produced
by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC
www.broadwayplaypublishing.com