In Caryll Churchills

In Caryll Churchills collaborative drama Cloud Nine, there are some very interesting resonances between acts one and two. As readers, we have to pay close attention to the gender and ethnic backgrounds of the actors, and the significance of who they are portraying. Throughout this play, there are many roles that are filled with cast members who by society, do not seem like the perfect fit for their character. By using the doubling and cross-dressing methods of drama, Churchill is able to develop the gender, race, and sexuality themes of the play. The doubling of Clive and Cathy forced the readers to pay attention to who the actors were, and the significance of the role they were playing. Clive is a father-type figure, who is also the most dominating character throughout all of Caryll Churchills play. His roles as a father, husband, and government administrator allow the readers to see why he is the character with the most control. Clive shows his dominance over the other characters in lines 129-155, when he makes Joshua apologize for being rude to his wife Betty earlier in the day. This scene allows the readers to see that Clive can take over a situation and make his black servant Joshua, feel inferior even though he truly might not have been rude to Betty. Clive also shows his dominance over his wife Betty, when Mrs. Saunders comes to the house on horseback in lines 255 to 260. After saying a few words of admiration about Mrs. Saunders, Clive simply instructs his wife to take care of Mrs. Saunders by saying, ! Mrs. Saunders has ridden here alone. What will you have for her? Tea or something stronger. Betty you will no what to do(Churchill 813). When Clive says this, and Betty does not question the order she has just received from him. By Churchill having the actors accepting their roles, she has eliminated any conflict that might have been an issue if the actors had not acce...