23:00, Wed 28th – Sat 31st October 2009 at ADC Theatre
Michaelmas Week 3

The Amateur Dramatic Club presents Rossum’s Universal Robots by Karel Čapek – Week 3 Lateshow, Michaelmas 2009

‘There are no more people. Robots down to work. March!’

Mankind has discovered the secret of life. Rossum’s factory uses the recipe and manufactures artificial people to work as slaves. Known as ‘robots’, they ensure that all humans live a life of luxury.

Helena Glory visits the factory, and witnesses the machines at work. Initially intending to agitate a revolution amongst the robots, she is drawn to life at the factory and falls for Domin, the manager. But she can’t shake the feeling that forcing the robots into servitude will have dangerous consequences. And as discontent ferments among the robots, she is proven brutally right.

First performed in 1921, R.U.R. is the play that invented the word ‘robot’. This production will be visually bold, with an emphasis on physical performance. We will take an experimental approach to the process, involving devising and improvisation. The aim will be to create a dark vision of an alternative future, using a variety of innovative dramatic techniques.