Karel Capek's "R.U.R." Rossum's Universal Robots 1930's Signed Liverpool Program

Description

This is a rare autographed programme (playbill) from either the 1920's or 1930's for the Liverpool College Dramatic Society production of the KAREL CAPEK Fantastic Melodrama "R.U.R." ("Rossum's Universal Robots") at the Liverpool College in Liverpool, England. (The Original London production opened April 24th, 1923 at St. Martin's
Theatre
and ran for 126 performances.) ..... The Liverpool College cast included K. S. BUTLER, IVOR J. C. FREW, A. E. GRANT, H. ST. JOHN BRODRICK, E. G. PHILIP MARTIN, C. RONALD FULLER, L. G. SATCHELL WILLIAMS, RONALD WEBSTER, DUNCAN S. DAVIES, K. HARRIS, FRANK J. GLENDENNING, JOHN CRAWLEY, J. W. O'H. TOBIN, J. J. LEYLAND, J. MURRAY McKENZIE, F. G. ROBSON FISHER, F. H. GRIFFITHS, E. N. LAWN and MICHAEL H. POCOCK ..... Historical note: "R.U.R" is a
science fiction
play
originally performed
in the
Czech language.
"R.U.R." stands for
Rossum's Universal Robots
, an English phrase used as the subtitle in the Czech original. The play introduced the word "
robot
"
to the English language and to
science fiction
as a whole. The play premiered in Prague in 1921 and was translated from Czech into English by Paul Selver in 1922. The American première was at the
Garrick Theatre
in New York City on October 9th, 1922, where it ran for 184 performances, a production in which
Spencer Tracy
and
Pat O'Brien
played robots in their
Broadway
debuts. London first saw the play at St. Martin's Theatre on April 24th, 1923, a production that ran for 126 performances and included Basil Rathbone as "Harry Domain". The play introduced the word
Robot
which displaced older words such as "
automaton
" or
"
android
" in languages around the world. Karel Čapek named his brother
Josef
as the true inventor of the word.
Isaac Asimov
,
author of the
Robot Series
of books and creator of the
Three Laws of Robotics
, stated: "Capek's play is, in my own opinion, a terribly bad one, but it is immortal for that one word. It contributed the word 'robot' not only to English but, through English, to all the languages in which science fiction is now written." (Wikipedia) ..... CREDITS: Book by KAREL CAPEK; English Version by PAUL SELVER and NIGEL PLAYFAIR; Stage Manager: W. J. S. AUSTIN, Esq.; Business Manager: C. THOMAS, Esq.; Directed by BASIL DEAN; Produced by the Messrs. G. F. GILL and E. BUTCHERS ..... DETAILS: The oversized four page program measures 7 1/2" X 10" inches, is printed on a textured stock and includes full production credits, cast list and synopsis of scenes, but no cast photos or bios. The program was signed by every member of the cast and creative team with the exception of K. S. Butler ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light soiling, minor creasing and paper residue in the top left corner of the back page, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.