Wednesday 03 February 2010
Alan Turing: Destroyed By The State After Cracking The Enigma Codes
Hugh Whitemore's fascinating but tragic story - Breaking The Code at the New Venture Theatre - of Alan Turing: mathematician, "father" of computer science and a gay man in an intolerant era.
A relevant and timely production following Gordon Brown's recent statement in recognition of the appalling and inhumane way that Turing was treated for being gay.
Compassionate and often amusing, the play explores the life of a man who broke two different codes: the Enigma Codes during WWII and the gentlemanly code of sexual discretion.
Turing made no serious denial or defence, instead telling everyone that he saw no wrong with his actions.
He was particularly concerned to be open about his sexuality even in the hard and unsympathetic atmosphere of Manchester engineering.
Rather than go to prison he accepted, for the period of a year, injections of oestrogen intended to neutralise his libido.
By making little attempt to disguise his sexual predilections at a time when homosexuality was illegal and following his conviction for gross indecency, Turing was ultimately destroyed by the State he once saved.
Director Suzie Dole says of 'Breaking the Code':
"It is a privilege for me to direct Hugh Whitemore's beautifully crafted and sensitive play about one of Britain's brilliant but misused heroes."
New Venture Theatre's production of 'Breaking the Code' runs from 27th March to 3rd April 2010.
Tickets for the show are available - £8 (£9.00 final Friday and Saturday night) Tuesday – all tickets £6 and can be reserved online at www.newventure.org.uk or through the Box Office on 01273 746118.
by: Mike Cobley
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Breaking The Code: Fascinating But Tragic Tale
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