R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)
adapted by Lee Shackleford
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Shackleford Adaptation / Get the script /
Lauren Griffin and Wes Seals square off in the world premiere of the Shackleford adaptation of R.U.R. The splendid costumes are by Kim Schnormeier.
Why have modern productions of R.U.R. have become few and far between? As the years have gone by, directors and producers have come to find the expressionist style of the script to be a turnoff. They don't like the two-dimensional characters and exaggerated action. To make matters worse, they are often further distanced from the work by the awkwardly-formal language of the most literal English translations.
So in my adaptation of Čapek's masterpiece I have tried to bring the play's characters and language into a more modern vernacular than in the literal translations. And I've tried to be as faithful as possible to Karel Čapek's intentions while updating the details of the ethical issues raised, and -- above all -- approaching the story as a more realistic piece of science fiction with more fully-rounded characters.
This new adaptation was first produced at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, with a rotating set, video projections, and a score of original electronic music. The production was enthusiastically praised by the reviewer assigned by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Much of the success of the first production was due to the original music and sound effects by Dr. Michael Angell, the scenery and lighting designed by Kelly Allison, and the costumes designed by Kimberly Schnormeier. But many who were familiar with other English translations of the play felt it was the script that made the show work, and some even predicted the new adaptation could become the definitive American performance text of Čapek's play.
PHOTOS FROM PRODUCTIONS OF
THE SHACKLEFORD ADAPTATION
A tense moment in the world premiere production of the new adaptation. The UAB cast on Kelly Allison's remarkable set.
Helena and Domin admire the prototype for the next generation of Rossum's Universal Robots.
Jody Rivera, pictured here,
won an Irene Ryan Award Nomination for her portrayal of the robot Sulla in the UAB production.
Victoria Barrett as Helena and Andy Godwin as Alquist in the 2005 Appleseed production in Syracuse, New York, designed and directed by William Edward White. |
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Helenova and Primus comfort the dying Alquist in a performance by S.T.A.G.E., Inc., Bulverde's E.L.F.S. Touring Troupe, directed by Steve Wire, at the Texas Nonprofit Theatres 2007 Conference. |
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No Photoshop trickery needed! In this production directed by Todd Swanboro and featuring students at Michigan's Clintondale High School, Alquist (Kyle Androyna) is threatened by two identical robots played by identical twins (Becky and Mandy Ramm). Bravo to Swanboro for seeing the potential in having natural clones play unnatural clones, and to these two ladies for going along with it. The group scored high enough in their district theatre competition to go on to regionals, where they earned the coveted Superior rating with this production. |
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