Arabic Numerals

Synopsis:

Arabic Numerals is a profoundly moving evocation of the human cost of human conflict.

Joe is a US Army sergeant stationed in the Middle East.

His brother, Sam, is stationed in Geneva, where he consults on new protocols to the Geneva Convention.

Through a series of tense, often harrowing scenes, counterpointing the calm, almost bloodless business of bureaucracy with the reality of modern warfare, we are forced to confront the impossibility of an humane solution to a violent conflict.

Using traditional Armenian music as a deeply emotional soundscape employed throughout the piece, what emerges is an extraordinarily powerful encapsulation of the unbridgeable clash of warring cultures.

The whole builds to a searing climax that is disturbing, uncompromising and, ultimately, devastating.

Character Breakdown:

The play is a seven-hander:  4 men (2 Middle-Eastern), 3 women (2 Middle-Eastern).

JOE

SAM
INVESTIGATOR

WOMAN
MALAK
BASMA

ROCKO
EMIN
GUNMAN
PALL-BEARER
ABIRAD
JUDGE

GLORIA

AHAD
PALL-BEARER
GUNMAN
SAHAH
GUARD
NISHAN

PANDUKHT

 Music:  All tracks mentioned throughout the text are derived from Songs From A World Apart, Levon Minassian & Armand Amar, Harmonia Mundi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7bqCTJjp5s

Running-time: 100 minutes.

Production History: Not yet produced.

Excerpt available for download for free.