In celebration of the Seventieth Anniversary of FJU, the English Department of Day and Evening Divisions have joined together to co-produce the 1999 annual play, RUR by Karel Capek.  Because the drama students and their teachers are unable to pay the SVD administration rental fees, however, this may be our first and last production in the SVD Theatre Center unless future SVD policy supports the valuable contribution of college foreign language theatre.  We sincerely thank Dr. Charles H.Huang, Financial Advisor to the Executive Yuan and President of Allcan Investment, for his generous donation to the CFLL theatre program from which the SVD Finance Office deducted the rental and professional technician fees this year.
     The play introduces Chairman of the Board and CEO of Rossum's Universal Robots, Harry Domain, and his committee of the doctors and engineers who are the world suppliers of robotic labor.  Over-production of the robots, however, causes serious population problems and the World Humanity League sends a representative, Helena Glory, to RUR headquarters.  Surrounded by robots and not one woman, it is no surprise that the men fall in love with her at the first sight, and Helena agrees to marry Domain.  Five years later, the robot formula.  Meanwhile, Chief  Physiologist Dr. Gall is persuaded by Helena to conduct experiments to change robots into humans.  Chief of Works, Alquist, predicts the extinction of human beings; and Radius, one of the superior Gall robots, leads a revolt.  Without the robot formula, however, the rebels soon begin to break down and perish.  What survives when RUR's idolatry of money and machines destroys the world provides a thoughtful ending to Karel Capek's 1921 futuristic drama.
     The English Departments of Day and Evening Divisions give special honor to Miss Ying-chen Huang who composed music for the lyrics adapted from the play-text by Prof. Lyn Scott; and miss Ginny Chen who choreographed and directed the robot dances.