A Number

This article is about the play. For other uses, see A Number (disambiguation).
A Number
Written byCaryl Churchill
CharactersSalter
Bernard 1
Bernard 2
Michael Black
Date premiered23 September 2002 (2002-09-23)
Place premieredRoyal Court Theatre,
London, England
Original languageEnglish
SubjectHuman cloning and identity

A Number is a 2002 play by British playwright Caryl Churchill. The story, set in the near future, is structured around the conflict between a father (Salter) and his sons (Bernard 1, Bernard 2, and Michael Black) – two of whom are clones of the first one. The play addresses the subject of human cloning and identity, especially nature versus nurture. Many critics over the years have lauded A Number, arguing Churchill created a work of significant intellectual depth with effective economy of style.