Robot Radius

Laterna magika

Life on Earth is all but extinct and the planet is now run by abiotic technologies. One last person has survived – a scientist, who is to complete transformation from physical into digital man. The doubts he harbours are perhaps the final thing that links his mind to the essence of human existence, which he voluntarily renounces. Yet it may not be the case, and the taking of the decision will be an evolutionary leap leading to the rise of new humanity.

The production Robot Radius has accrued from a free dialogue with Karel Čapek’s drama R.U.R., which premiered a century ago. The themes the writer tackled are viewed through the prism of the 21st century, its new challenges and tendencies, such alarming phenomena as climate change, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering …

In a creative symbiosis, the stage is entered by living artists and state-of-the-art technologies. We experiment with augmented reality, applying the motion capture technology. The movement of Radim Vizváry, performing the Robot, shows on the screen in real time by means of sensors fixed on his body. The actor is thus able to shape the picture directly. Interactive too is the live music, as played by the guitarist Michal Pavlíček, with the capture of the sound triggering or changing that which is unfurling on the screen. The result in visualisation of a human idea expressed through movement and sound.

The project was created in collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner General for the Participation of the Czech Republic in EXPO 2020. At the end of October 2021, Robot Radius was presented in Dubai to visitors from all over the world.

“We asked Radim Vizváry to adapt Čapek’s play R.U.R. for two reasons. The first is that  2021 marks the centenary of the drama’s premiere at the National Theatre, the second is that  mime will remove language barriers at the EXPO in Dubai, where the production will be staged in celebration of the R.U.R. anniversary,” Jiří František Potužník, Comissioner General, explained, adding: “We initiated the project back in 2019, and owing to the PPF Foundation it will employ a brand-new ‘sci-fi’ stage technology worthy of Laterna magika.”

WARNING: No intermission.
Suitable for audience from 15 years. 

Program and cast

Approximate running time: 1 hour, no intermission

Cast

Radim Vizváry, Michal Pavlíček

Voiceover: Jindřiška Dudziaková, David Matásek

Creative team

Concept - Radim Vizváry

Screen play and Stage director - Miřenka Čechová

Music - Michal Pavlíček

Visual dramaturgy - Amador Artiga

Costumes - Marek Cpin

Light design - Karel Šimek

Sound design - Michal Pavlíček; Martin Tvrdý

Voiceover: Jindřiška Dudziaková & David Matásek