A NUMBER

In his stage directorial debut, JC Santos takes on three cloned characters, each carrying a different set of emotions — from lightheartedness to something much darker.

It would have been nice to see the lighting complement these emotional shifts, but unfortunately, it doesn’t do much to enhance them.

Small screens from the ceiling occasionally display visuals related to fertility and cloning, but the imagery can get repetitive. Since the characters travel between different locations, the screens could have also helped establish the setting and give each place more visual identity. But the use of the screens remains limited.

The sound design helps amplify certain scenes, but most of the time, only the actors’ voices fill the space. It can get too quiet and make some scenes lose their intensity.

Whenever the actors change outfits or pick up a prop, they sometimes step outside the center space to prepare for the next scene. Even though there are mirrors within the space, they are underutilized and barely noticeable. It’s a missed opportunity to use mirrors as a form of reflection, especially in a play filled with characters reflecting on their lives and the decisions they’ve made.

The discussions tend to go in circles, and even the way they end can be unsatisfying. Intentional pauses and breaks stop the conversations, prompting the actors to leave the scene, and when they return, certain points are simply left behind.

Despite incorporating cloning into its plot, its perspective on life remains familiar. One’s past doesn’t dictate his future.

There’s nothing wrong with redesigning familiar themes, but the play struggles to give them enough impact. The scenes rarely convey the weight of the characters’ decisions or the consequences that follow. Even when killing and danger enter the conversation, there’s little room to build suspense and tension.

Much of the play feels like an acting showcase by the two lead actors.

Bart Guingona gives a steady performance. His character constantly faces the dilemma of choosing between money and the welfare of his children, yet it’s hard to tell how sincere he is.

JC Santos effectively portrays three distinct characters. While the costumes help distinguish each one, his shifts in voice and mannerisms do most of the work.

He has already played somewhat similar roles in his previous films, so these three characters aren’t entirely new. What makes the play different is seeing him perform all three in the same space within an hour. Watching him shift from one character to another right before your eyes becomes the show’s highlight.

If that is something you’re interested in, then perhaps you can try to catch JC Santos and Bart Guingona in “A NUMBER” from October 9–18, 2026, at WHYNoT, 4F Karrivin Studios, Makati.

The ticket comes at a steep price of ₱2,800. So reflect on your life decisions — just as the characters do in the story.