This play, written by Karel Capek in 1921 and broadcast by the BBC in 1938 is reputed to be the first science fiction play on UK television. It showed how techological progress, in the form of Rossum’s Universal Robots can dominate man & threaten him with extinction. The programme was 35 minutes long and was produced by Jan Bussell. The cast included Harvey Braban, Cherry Cottrell, Desmond Davis, Annie Esmond, Derek Bond & Larry Silverstone. Mary Allan designed the costumes. This production was transmitted live and no recording exists. (via Rossum’s Universal Robots)
