: This is a 54-page guide that covers the narrative's exploration of human cloning, emotional turmoil, and identity. It includes specific breakdowns of character interactions, such as the tense ethics-based conversations between Salter and B1. Raleigh Little Theatre Study Guide

A Number was widely acclaimed for its emotional intensity and topicality, receiving awards and frequent productions. Critics praised Churchill’s concise, urgent writing and the play’s capacity to provoke discussion about cloning without didacticism.

The "replacement" son who believed he was an only child. He is devastated to learn he is one of twenty-one copies.

Salter treated his son like a damaged car. When "Bernard 2" started showing signs of distress, Salter didn’t try to fix the relationship; he went back to the lab for a new model (Bernard 3). The title is a pun: The children are literally "a number"—a statistical unit, a product batch number.

The play revolves around the Saunders family, who have lost their son Sam in a tragic accident, and the Cooke family, who have a son that is a clone of Sam. The play explores the complex relationships between the characters, particularly the parents, as they navigate the moral and emotional implications of cloning.

Salter represents the ultimate selfish parent, attempting to "undo" his mistakes through technology rather than personal growth.

This article serves as your comprehensive guide to the play, its themes, structure, and where to legitimately find the text.