R.U.R.

Karel Čapek

Translated by Paul Selver and Nigel Playfair

5 chapters · about 87 min

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The opening

Act I

Scene: Central office of the factory of Rossum’s Universal Robots. Entrance R. down Right. The windows on the back wall look out on the endless roads of factory buildings. Door L. down Left. On the Left wall large maps showing steamship and railroad routes. On the Right wall are fastened printed placards. (“Robots cheapest Labor,” etc.) In contrast to these wall fittings, the floor is covered with splendid Turkish carpet, a couch R. C. A book shelf containing bottles of wine and spirits, instead of books.

Domin is sitting at his desk at Left, dictating. Sulla is at the typewriter upstage against the wall. There is a leather couch with arms Right Center. At the extreme Right an armchair. At extreme Left a chair. There is also a chair in front of Domin’s desk. Two green cabinets across the upstage corners of the room complete the furniture. Domin’s desk is placed up and down stage facing Right.

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About this edition

The words
Paul Selver and Nigel Playfair's English translation, copied word for word.
Left out
  • The title page and opening pages before chapter 1, in 2 places
  • Notes and pages added by translators, editors or publishers, in 2 places
  • The source library's header, footer and license

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