Rossum's Universal Robots at Alchemical Studios

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2. Rossum's Universal Robots

In 2010, billionaire Harry Domin has it good -- he lives on his own private island, manufacturing humanoid robots, his every need met. By 2020, his robots are ubiquitous around the world, even as the human birth rate has plummeted. Will Harry's robots continue to be obedient?

The Firebird Project’s new production of ROSSUM’S UNIVERSAL ROBOTS is a rebirth of Karel Capek’s forgotten classic, with a new modern-language translation that sets the story in an alternate-history 21st-century. In this one, the Universal Robot is introduced to society in the same historical moment as the smartphone. We reimagine Rossum's Universal Robots as another Silicon Valley titan, supplying robots by the millions to every private home, company, and national army in the world.

This futuristic thriller explores the ethics and decision-making behind robotics and artificial intelligence and screams out with relevance in the wake of today’s AI tech revolution, asking why we insist upon creating technology in our own image. R.U.R. tells the story of humanity’s last day, with just seven actors and a hundred minutes.

Don't miss this thrilling and prophetic 1920 play that introduced the word "robot" to the world and provided the blueprint behind every high-tech science fiction from Ex Machina to Children of Men.

Tickets on sale here.