The Department of Dramatic Arts is set to launch its latest production – R.U.R. Episode 4: Rise of the Robot God – it’s a Robot Apocalypse!

You can witness the Rise of the Robot God in this adaptation of Karel Capek’s 1920 play R.U.R.(Rossum’s Universal Robots), a sci-fi experience presented by the Department of Dramatic Arts, held in the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre at Brock University on February 12 – 14, 2015.

Capek is the originator of the word ‘robot’, and his play dealt with the anxieties of creating artificial life-forms, the awe in the face of the power and possibility of advancing technology, and the fear of the end of human life on Earth. Capek’s writing has served as inspiration for so much subsequent science fiction dealing with artificial intelligence – from Star Trek to Terminator, from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Her.

Director and Dramatic Arts Professor David Fancy’s adaption of Capek’s play features bots and borgs, an apocalyptic vision of the future, and, of course, a theremin. The reworked title, R.U.R. Episode 4: Rise of the Robot God, is a tribute to both the epic Star Wars saga and the Terminator series. In celebration of the sci-fi genre and its many “cult” fandoms, audiences will be treated to a geek-friendly atmosphere brimming with nostalgia, and hidden pop-culture gags that will have viewers saying, “I understood that reference.” Audience members are invited and encouraged to come in their favourite sci-fi costumes and be part of the robot apocalypse!

Scenography is by David Vivian. Lighting is by Jennifer Jiminez, and Steve Chan provides the music. Cast: Mitchell Allanson (Radius); Kendra Neaves (Dr. Gall); Josh Sanger (Fabry); Alex Franks (Damon); Misha Harding (Helena); Sean Rintoul (Domin); Bri Lidstone (Nana); Kate Croome (Sulla); Elizabeth Amos (Marius); Rachel Romanowski (Alquist); Jeremy Knapton (Hallemeier); and Michel Fusillo (Busman).

Director David Fancy states, “The ensemble and crew are looking forward to sharing the many creative discoveries made through this rich process with the audience.”

Performances will be held in the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre at Brock University on February 12, 13, and 14, 2015 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinée performance on Feb. 13 at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $12 for groups, and $5 for the eyeGo high school program. Available from the Centre for the Arts Box Office: 905.688.5550 x3257, or visit: Arts.BrockU.ca

R.U.R. Episode 4: Rise of the Robot God deals with mature themes and contains strong language. Follow us on social media via Twitter: #RURrobotrising or Tumblr: rurrobotrising.tumblr.com/

Such programs from the Department of Dramatic Arts are an integral part of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts’ mandate in building connections between the community and the breadth of talent and creativity at Brock University. For more information about the Department of Dramatic Arts visit: brocku.ca/dramaticarts

The Department of Dramatic Arts is dedicating this final production in the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre to the memory of our late poet, Terrance Cox, who passed in the evening of January 16, 2015. Please see this page for more information: https://brocku.ca/humanities/departments-and-centres/dramatic-arts/faculty-dart/terrance-cox-the-poet