By Hugh Whitemore
Directed by Steve Gerlach.
This exceptional biographical drama about a man who broke too many codes: the eccentric genius Alan Turing who played a major role in winning the World War II, breaking the complex German code called Enigma, and enabling allied forces to foresee German manoeuvres.
Since his work was classified top secret for years after the war, no one knew how much was owed to him when he was put on trial for breaking another code the taboo against homosexuality. Turing, who was also the first to conceive of computers, was convicted under the 1885 Criminal Law Amendment Act which made all homosexual acts of “gross indecency” illegal, the same act used to convict Oscar Wilde, and sentenced to undergo hormone treatments which left him physically and mentally debilitated. He died a suicide, forgotten and alone.
This play is about who he was, what happened to him, and why.
Alton Fringe Theatre has brought together a very strong cast for this production. The powerful drama takes us on a journey through the all too short yet complex life of Alan Turing. There are of course, moments of triumph and disaster, laughter and tears. And at the heart of the story – a search for love. In a typical ‘Fringe’ stripped back production, it is the characters in Turing’s life as well as Turing himself who are the focus for attention.
This amateur production of “Breaking the Code” was presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. On behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
Audience appreciation
“Thank you and all at Alton Fringe for a wonderfully-delivered evening of poignant and moving readings, ranging widely across history, social transformation, tragedy and pleasure and much else besides. I loved it.”
“Thank you so much for your extraordinary performance yesterday evening in the unique venue of Goldfinch book. It was a real treat to see faces we knew perform as themselves, whilst sharing with their audience a highly varied, entertaining and engaging selection of items creating a flavour of rail travel since its inception.”
Review by Jo Hopkins
“…the audience was riveted by complex mathematical and philosophical ideas one minute, and moved to tears the next by the human need for love and to be understood …This was down to the intelligent, sensitive direction of Steve Gerlach and the conviction and brilliance of the whole cast and creative team.”
Photos by Ian Dumelow – click to enlarge
