R.U.R. Sound Cues - Broadway Production

R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)

Sound Cue Sheet - Broadway Production

Adapted by Talene Monahon | Original by Karel Čapek

Page Cue # Act Line Before/Stage Direction Sound Description Duration Priority Notes/Equipment
3 1.1 Prologue "A knock at the door." Knock on door Brief Low Office door knock
8 1.2 Prologue "He presses a button. A scratchy recording plays." OLD ROSSUM'S VOICE playback ~15 sec HIGH Period recording quality, static/scratchy
16 1.3 Prologue "A loud factory siren goes off." Factory siren/whistle 5-10 sec CRITICAL Robot work signal - PLOT IMPORTANT
29 2.1 Act 1 "A knock on the door." Knock on door Brief Low Domestic knock
33 2.2 Act 1 "The phone rings." Telephone ring Until answered Medium Period telephone
35 2.3 Act 1 "A knock on the door." Knock on door Brief Medium Urgent knock
43 2.4 Act 1 "A knock." Knock on door Brief Low Simple knock
46-47 2.5 Act 1 Fire crackling sounds Fireplace fire Continuous Medium Papers burning - manuscript destruction
50 2.6 Act 1 "Male laughter from off." Men's laughter 5-10 sec Low Approaching voices
59 2.7 Act 1 "LOUD FACTORY WHISTLES AND SIRENS." Multiple factory signals 10-15 sec CRITICAL Robot attack signal - MAJOR PLOT POINT
62+ 3.1 Act 2 Piano music from off Helena playing piano Continuous/intermittent Medium Live piano preferred
63 3.2 Act 2 "Fabry enters, dragging two electrical wires." Electrical work sounds Brief Low Wire dragging, setup
64 3.3 Act 2 "He turns on a lightbulb." Electric hum/click Brief Medium Power connection - plot relevant
66 3.4 Act 2 "Helena's music trickles in from the next room." Piano music Background Medium Soft, melancholy
66 3.5 Act 2 "LOUD FACTORY WHISTLES AND SIRENS." Factory signals 5-10 sec HIGH Power loss warning
78 3.6 Act 2 "A strange sound." Distant rumbling/roaring 5 sec Medium Ominous, approaching
79 3.7 Act 2 "The light goes out." Electric cut-out sound Brief HIGH Power failure - dramatic moment
79 3.8 Act 2 "The door swings open." Door opening Brief Medium Dramatic entrance
81 3.9 Act 2 "Shooting sounds from off." Gunfire/battle Intermittent CRITICAL Off-stage combat
81 3.10 Act 2 "A shattering explosion from off. Screams." Explosion and screams 5-10 sec CRITICAL MAJOR battle escalation
81 3.11 Act 2 "More shooting." Continued gunfire Intermittent CRITICAL Ongoing battle
84 3.12 Act 2 Window breaking/climbing sounds Robot entry 5-10 sec Medium Physical action
84 4.1 Act 3 "A whirring from outside." Machinery sounds Background Medium Continuous robot activity
85 4.2 Act 3 "A knock on the door." Knock on door Brief Low Formal, controlled
90-93 4.3-4.6 Act 3 "Marek screams from off." (multiple times) Screams of pain Brief (x4) HIGH DISTURBING - Surgery scene (plot necessary)
96 4.7 Act 3 Young Rossum's recording plays YOUNG ROSSUM'S VOICE ~10 sec HIGH Button activation - key exposition
97 4.8 Act 3 Recording plays again YOUNG ROSSUM'S VOICE ~15 sec HIGH Extended quote - thematic importance
98 4.9 Act 3 "From out the window!" Bird songs Continuous CRITICAL BEAUTIFUL - Dawn chorus, hope theme
98 4.10 Act 3 "The birdsong grows louder." Increasing bird songs Building to end CRITICAL Hope/renewal theme - FINAL CUE
"Marek screams from off." (multiple times) Screams of pain Brief (x4) HIGH DISTURBING - Surgery scene (plot necessary) 96 4.7 Act 3 Young Rossum's recording plays YOUNG ROSSUM'S VOICE ~10 sec HIGH Button activation - key exposition 97 4.8 Act 3 Recording plays again YOUNG ROSSUM'S VOICE ~15 sec HIGH Extended quote - thematic importance 98 4.9 Act 3 "From out the window!" Bird songs Continuous CRITICAL BEAUTIFUL - Dawn chorus, hope theme 98 4.10 Act 3 "The birdsong grows louder." Increasing bird songs Building to end CRITICAL Hope/renewal theme - FINAL CUE

Equipment & Technical Requirements

  • Period telephone bell
  • Factory siren/whistle (multiple types)
  • Playback system for voice recordings
  • Piano (live performance recommended)
  • Gunshot effects system
  • Explosion effects
  • Comprehensive bird song library
  • Fire crackling sounds
  • Electrical/mechanical sound effects
  • Knife/cutting sounds (surgery scene)
  • Door knock variations
  • Window breaking effects

Critical Design Notes

  • Factory Sirens: PLOT CRITICAL - they signal major story turns and robot behavior
  • Voice Recordings: Should sound period-appropriate (1920s technology) with authentic static/quality
  • Final Bird Songs: Represent hope and renewal - thematically essential for ending
  • Battle Sequence: Complex soundscape requiring careful balance with dialogue
  • Surgery Screams: Disturbing but plot-necessary - handle sensitively
  • Piano Music: Helena's playing represents humanity - live performance preferred
  • Industrial Ambiance: Low-level throughout without overwhelming dialogue

Show Themes Supported by Sound

  • Industrialization: Factory sounds, mechanical ambiance
  • Humanity vs. Technology: Organic sounds (piano, birds) vs. mechanical
  • Communication: Recordings of the past, telephone connections
  • Hope and Renewal: Final bird chorus representing life continuing