description A Number Overview
A Number is a 2002 play by British playwright Caryl Churchill about a father who encounters multiple genetically identical versions of his son. Written for two actors, it unfolds through terse conversations between the father, Salter, and three of the resulting sons. The drama uses human cloning to examine parental responsibility, personal identity, heredity, environment, and the moral consequences of treating a person as reproducible.
help A Number FAQ
What is the premise of Caryl Churchill's play A Number?
The play revolves around a father named Salter who discovers that a number of genetically identical clones of his son exist in the world. The story unfolds through intense, brief conversations between Salter and three of these cloned sons.
How many actors are needed to perform A Number?
The play is uniquely written for exactly two actors, making it an intimate two-hander. One actor plays the father, Salter, while the other actor plays all three of the genetically identical cloned sons.
When was A Number first performed?
A Number premiered in 2002 at the Royal Court Theatre in London. The original production famously starred Stephen Dillane as Salter and Daniel Craig as the cloned sons.
What themes does A Number explore?
The drama uses its science fiction premise of human cloning to deeply examine issues of identity, nature versus nurture, and parental responsibility. It questions whether a clone is truly the same person as the original, and how much of a person's character is shaped by their upbringing versus their genetics.
explore Explore More
Similar to A Number
ui.x_see_all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
