UK Theatre Network

Caryl Churchill’s 2002 play is comparatively small-scale (80 minutes, two actors, one set) but deals with the myriad questions arising from the possibility of human cloning.

Bernard, an ordinary man in his thirties, has just discovered that at some point in the past, and without his knowledge, he has been cloned.  Suddenly his sense of self is completely destroyed – he is no longer unique but only one of “a number”.

His father, Salter, agrees that in some ways Bernard’s value has been reduced, and therefore he might be entitled to compensation, but reassures him that he is at least the “genuine” Bernard and not a mere copy.

However, as Salter’s explanations become increasingly contradictory, he finally confesses that Bernard is in fact a clone of an earlier child who had died young.  Bernard is newly devastated when he realises that his whole raison d’être has been to replicate an original.  Then Salter’s story collapses completely when the real Bernard walks in, wanting a few choice words with his long-lost father.

In some ways the cloning headline is irrelevant – there are no mad scientists and little said about the ethical issues around creating life artificially.  No, this play is about the ancient themes of sibling rivalry, family secrets, parent/child bonds and confused identities.

John Benfield plays Salter, the ultimate patriarch, who appears to treat his offspring with the careless disregard of a spawning frog.  His emotional hinterland is as slippery and hard to define for the audience as it is for his sons.  Daniel Casey is charged with portraying the assorted clones of Bernard and completely succeeds in conveying both their essential similarities and differences.

Jeremy Daker’s design is stark and bleak - an armchair, a standard lamp, a coffee table and a hat stand are stranded in the middle of an empty stage.  James Earls-Davis’s sound design complements this bleak scenario, creating a slight echo as if the characters are stranded in an empty cavern.  The effect is initially alienating, but the story gradually draws you in until you feel as if you’re watching the characters in close-up

Sarah Punshon directs with complete assurance and delivers a well-paced and thoroughly satisfying production of a thought-provoking piece. 

A Number is on until Saturday 9 May 2009

Prices: £10 (conc £8)

Times: Sats @ 3pm

Box Office: 0161 236 7110

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