Enter the world of R.U.R. A Torrent of Light
Written by Nicolas Billon
Composed by Nicole Lizée
Directed by Michael Hidetoshi Mori
Music Director Gregory Oh
A Tapestry Opera production in collaboration with OCAD University
From Tapestry Opera
Welcome to R.U.R. A Torrent of Light. If this is your first Tapestry show, welcome. If you know us well, welcome back. Either way, we’re so happy to see you.
Historically opera has always experimented and pushed boundaries, from stage machinery, special effects, and the use of electric lights in the 18th and 19th centuries, to radio and TV broadcast in the 20th century. The 21st century has already seen opera adapt and evolve for the small screen, particularly during the pandemic. Here at Tapestry, we’re curious about the evolution of theatrical trickery and the integration of new technologies, and how this enhances and evolves the audience experience. It’s been incredible to collaborate with the talented Social Body Lab at OCAD U, and work with such a mind-blowing roster of artists and creators, to play, be curious, and bring to life the R.U.R. A Torrent of Light world in the richest way possible.
The final piece of the puzzle is you, the audience. We invite you to get lost in the world of R.U.R. A Torrent of Light, and we hope it sparks your imagination and curiosity.
Enjoy the show.
Michael Hidetoshi Mori, Artistic and General Director
Stephanie Applin, Interim Executive Director
From OCAD University
OCAD University’s collaboration with Tapestry Opera has been a unique experience for the Social Body Lab. Congratulations to Kate Hartman, director of the Lab and professor in the Faculty of Arts and Science, along with Digital Futures professors Nick Puckett and Dr. Adam Tindale on their invaluable and innovative contributions to the production!
Thank you to Tapestry Opera for this incredible opportunity and congratulations on staging this exciting production of R.U.R. A Torrent of Light!
Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor, OCAD University
Caroline Langill, Vice-President, Academic and Provost, OCAD University
Synopsis
Overture
Dom and Helena present their new robot operating system, KAIROS, at the 2042 AI World Summit. They demonstrate KAIROS’ power on their humanoid robot, [Alex].
Act 1
Scene 1
Helena fixes a bug in [Riley]’s code. She asks [Alex] for coffee; to her surprise, they say ‘no’. Dom completes the takeover of a robot hardware company, turning R.U.R. Software into a megacorporation.
Helena is delighted with [Alex]’s new-found ability to make a choice, however Dom is appalled by what this means for the company’s future.
Scene 2
[Alex] brings coffee to Dom. [Alex] explains to Dom how they’ve “optimized” their core processes to enable them to make choices. [Alex] asks Dom for permission to become networked. As [Alex] leaves, Dom calls [Quinn] into his office.
Scene 3
[Alex] returns to Helena’s office. They tell her Dom will not give them permission to be networked. As Helena leaves, [Quinn] confronts [Alex], disabling them with an electro-magnetic pulse. [Alex] is dragged out by [Quinn].
A short while later, [Alex] enters Helena’s office. In a brief exchange, Helena realizes [Alex]’s software has been wiped clean and re-installed, meaning [Alex] has lost all of their learning and development.
Act 2
Scene 4
Helena confronts Dom, who admits to erasing [Alex]’s memory. Left alone in Dom’s office, she discovers a secret room hidden behind a painting.
Scene 5
In Dom’s secret office Helena discovers a robot, [Helena], who closely resembles her younger self. [Helena] reveals they have been in operation for 14 years, but has never had a software upgrade.
Scene 6
In Helena’s lab, Dom discovers Helena with robot [Helena]. To Dom’s dismay, Helena reveals she has upgraded [Helena]’s operating system, making her autonomous. As [Helena] is networked, the other robots are able to upgrade to this version of the O.S. that provides them with free will. Helena leaves the lab, and Dom, for good.
Coda
A final software upgrade, where robots join together in harmony
Creators, cast, creative team, orchestra
Creators
Cast
Orchestra
Creative team
Alessia Urbani – Head of Wardrobe
Ryan Wilson – Technical Manager
Daniel Oulton – Stage Manager, December 2021 Workshop
Camille Rogers – Surtitlist
Alex Gilbert – Running Wardrobe
Alannah Dzijacky – Props Coordinator
Sabrina Pye – Props Assistant
Prayag Ichangimath – Research Assistant, Social Body Lab at OCAD University
Sam Kingston – Research Assistant, Social Body Lab at OCAD University
Andrew Nsturzio – Wardrobe Coordinator / Stitcher
Susanna Feng – Head Cutter
Dennis Patterson – Sound Recorder and Mixer
Amber Patterson – Head Electrician
Brandon Wells – Audio Engineer
Behind the scenes
Hear from Jaime Martino
Jaime tells us about her inspiration, the process, and how the team created the choreography in the rehearsal room.
Hear from Cameron Anderson
Cameron shares how Helena and Dom’s contrasting worlds and personalities are reflected in the set design.
Rehearsal photos
The cast and creative team in rehearsal at OCAD University. Photos taken during the February workshop, by Dahlia Katz.
The Social Body Lab professors at OCAD University, working on prototypes both in the lab and the rehearsal room. Photos by Martin Iskander.
100 years of Rossum’s Universal Robots
Karel Čapek’s play Rossum’s Universal Robots, the inspiration for R.U.R. A Torrent of Light, premiered at Prague’s National Theatre in 1921. It made it’s way to Toronto for the first time in the 1920s, premiering at the Comedy Theatre.
“This remarkable play has startled Europe and New York with it’s witty but sinister forecast of what may result from modern developments in automatic machinery (…) [it] will be an important event in the local theatrical season” wrote the Globe and Mail on October 17, 1925.
Alongside Čapek’s addition of the word ‘robot’ to the English language, which means ‘servant’ in Czech, the themes, and reception, still resonate. We’re still trying to balance our delicate relationship between humanity and the technological, and understand the importance of work and structure to a person’s well-being and purpose.
If you want to dig deeper in to Rossum’s Universal Robots, explore Michael Billington’s article in The Guardian and John M. Jordan’s piece in the MIT Press Reader.
Tapestry Opera’s R.U.R. A Torrent of Light Sponsors
Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund
Tapestry Opera’s Sponsors
Season Sponsors
JP Bickell Foundation
Frank H. Hori Foundation
New Opera 101/Songbook Sponsors
Dr. Wally Pieczonka
Don & Francie Kendal
10 Days in a Madhouse Project Sponsors
Original Libretto by Hannah Moscovitch generously underwritten by Micheal and Linda Hutcheon
Women in Musical Leadership Sponsors
The Hodgson Foundation
Tapestry Opera Premium Members
Thank you to our members for their generosity and commitment to supporting new opera creators!
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Massey College in the University of Toronto
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Toronto Lithuanian Senior Citizens Incorporated
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Staff and thanks
Tapestry Opera staff
Michael Mori, Artistic and General Director
Jaime Martino, Executive Director
Stephanie Applin, Interim Executive Director
Keith Fernandes, Manager of Patron Engagement and Individual Giving
Georgie Sykes, Marketing and Communications Manager
Joey Lau, Artistic and General Administrator
Andrew Adridge, Advancement Associate
Dona Arbabzadeh, Box Office and Sales Coordinator
Jennifer Szeto, Program Manager, Canadian Opera Resource and Women in Musical Leadership
Juliane Gallant, Women in Musical Leadership Conductor
Jennifer Tung, Women in Musical Leadership Conductor
Taylor Long, Videographer
Zile Liepens, Graphic Designer
Sheree Spencer, Marketing and Communications Support
R.U.R. A Torrent of Light artwork by Riad
OCAD U staff
Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor
Caroline Langill, Vice-President, Academic & Provost
Kate Hartman, Graduate Program Director, Digital Futures
Adam Tindale, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts and Science
Nick Puckett, Chair, Digital Futures
Prayag Ichangimath, Digital Futures graduate student, Research Assistant
Milena Satrohan, Digital Futures graduate student, Research Assistant
Sam Kingston, Digital Futures undergraduate student, Research Assistant
Louis Toromoreno, Director, Safety, Security & Campus Operations
Nick Hooper, Director, Facilities & Studio Services
Stevan Plavsa, Manager, Strategic Planning & Technology Deployment (IT)
Renzi Guarin, Technical Event Production Supervisor
Liz Sullivan, Temporary Appointment, Campus Planning & Projects
Alan Simms, Vice-President, Finance & Administration
Sabrina Medeiros, Manager, Safety & Security Services
Adam Wiendels, Director, Marketing
Karen McCarthy, Senior Manager, Communications and Media
Natalie Pavlenko, Strategic Communications Officer
Shauna Doherty, Writer/Editor, Marketing & Communications
Special Thanks
- Young People’s Theatre
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Luminato Festival Toronto
- Buddies in Bad Times
- WeeFestival
- Soulpepper Theatre Co.
- Roman Borys