R.U.R. E-Book

Styx Classics

• Herausgeber: Styx Classics
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) is a science fiction play in the Czech language by Karel Čapek. It premiered in 1921 and is famous for having introduced and popularized the term robot.

Leseprobe

R.U.R.

Karel Čapek

Published: 1921Categorie(s): Fiction, Drama, Science Fiction

R.U.R.

(Rossum’s Universal Robots)

A play in introductory scene and three acts

by Karel Capek

Translated into English by David Wyllie

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Harry Domin: Director General, Rossum’s Universal Robots

Fabry: Technical Director, R.U.R.

Dr. Gall: Head of Physiology and Research Department, R.U.R.

Dr. Hallemeier: Head of Institute for Robot Psychology and Behaviour,  R.U.R

Busman: Commercial Director, R.U.R.

Alquist: Head of Construction, R.U.R.

Helena Glory

Nana: Her Nanny

Marius: Robot

Sulla: Robot, female

Radius: Robot

Damon: Robot

1st Robot

2nd Robot

3rd Robot

4th Robot

Primus: Robot

Helena: Robot, female

Robot servant

and numerous robots

Domin: in introductory scene, about thirty-eight years old, tall, clean shaven

Fabry: also clean shaven, fair, serious and delicate features

Dr. Gall: light build, lively, dark complexion and black moustache

Hallemeier: heavy build, noisy, big ginger moustache and ginger shock of hair

Busman: fat, bald, short-sighted Jew

Alquist: older than the others, dressed without care, long grey hair and beard

Helena: very elegant

In the play proper, all ten years older.

In the introductory scene, the robots are dressed like people.  They are slightly mechanical in their speech and movements, blank of expression, fixed in their gaze.  In the play proper they wear linen blouses seized at the waist with a  belt and on their breasts wear a brass number

Intervals after the introductory scene and the second act.

Introductory Scene

Central office at the factory of Rossum‘s Universal Robots. Entrance stage right. Through the windows can be seen endless rows of factory buildings. Stage left, further administrative areas.

Domin: (Sitting at a large American desk in a swivelling chair. On the table are a lamp, telephone, paperweight, files, letters, papers etc. On the wall, stage left, are large maps showing shipping lines and railway lines, large calendar, clock showing just before midday; on the wall stage right are printed posters: “The Cheapest Workforce You Can Get: Rossum’s Robots”, “Latest invention; Robots for the Tropics. 150 d. each”, “Everyone Should have a Robot!”, “Reduce the Cost of your Products! Order a Robot from Rossum’s!”. Also other maps, shipping timetable, notice board with telegrams, rates of exchange etc. In contrast with the content of the walls, the floor is covered with a magnificent Turkish carpet, stage right is as round armchair, settee, sumptuous leather armchair, bookshelves containing not books but bottles of wines and spirits. Stage left, safe. Beside Domin’s desk a typewriter at which Sulla is writing)