WHEN speaking of Alan Turing, people tend to pick up on one of three things; the fact he was a mathematical genius, the fact he was gay, or Benedict Cumberbatch. Perhaps not all equal in terms of importance, but that’s modern society for you.
However Breaking the Code, a play by Hugh Whitemore and directed by Robert Hastie, reveals much more personal side to the enigma that is Alan Turing…
Based on the text ‘Alan Turing: The Enigma’ by Andrew Hodge and first performed in 1986, with Sir Derek Jacobi playing the role of protagonist Turing, Breaking the Code portrays Turing’s life in a series of snapshots, from a young, bright schoolboy to a disparaged, disgraced war hero in his final moments.
Today, the piece’s residence is the unique in-the-round setting of the Royal Exchange Theatre, which is perfectly suited to demonstrate the intimate drama which unravels itself onstage.
In addition, where better to stage a piece on Turing than Manchester, where he spent much of his life after the war, working at Manchester University, and where he was convicted and punished for his homosexuality.
BAFTA award winning actor Daniel Rigby, whose work includes Eric and Ernie, Black Mirror and Big School, takes on the role of Turing, supported by a small but talented support cast.
However the performance doesn’t focus solely on the achievements of Turing.
Whilst there is mention of famous elements such as the enigma code and the Turing machine, they are mere plot points to developing the interpersonal relationships within Turing’s life, whether it be with his mother, his peers or his numerous lovers.
Good morning! If you want to see a good play, might I recommend "Breaking The Code" @rxtheatre – thoroughly enjoyed it last night x
— Naga Munchetty (@BBCNaga) November 5, 2016
In fact at times, instead of the mathematical genius of Turing taking centre stage, it’s the personalities around him who steal the limelight, be it the eccentric professor Dillwyn Knox (Raad Rawi) or inscrutable detective Mick Ross (Phil Cheadle), amongst others.
It’s these characters, and the relationships they share with Turing, which makes this performance such an engaging piece of theatre; there’s love, conflict, friendship and sadness, portrayed convincingly by the cast.
With such close proximity in time between the two, it’s impossible to shy away from comparisons between this piece and the 2014 film ‘The Imitation Game’, starring Sherlock supremo Benedict Cumberbatch.
For many, the film will have been many of the public’s first encounter of Turing as anything more than a history textbook feature, and as a result it was difficult at times to feel that I wasn’t watching a staged version of the film.
Everyone needs to see Breaking The Code at the @rxtheatre 😀 I was in awe of everything, such a marvellous production with outstanding …
— Anne (@AnneEmmaa) November 5, 2016
This feeling was short lived though, as the play delved into the personal relations and personality of the characters, rather than glossing over them as a side show to Turing’s genius.
As a result however, it did feel that Turing was a little too relatable and personal. There was a lack of the enigmatic character he was so famous for.
Instead of alienating both character’s and audience, we instead warmed to Rigby’s portrayal, unlike Cumberbatch, who was cold and calculating in his performance on screen.
Whilst it went against what I knew of Turing as a character, perhaps this was the director’s aims; to bring closer to the audience a hero who for so long had been ostracized by his own peers and portrayed as alienating to later audiences.
In any sense, it was a strong performance from Rigby to demonstrate on stage the anguish of Turing, as he begins to see his life fall apart as a result of his own doing.
Equally as impressive and perhaps the standout factor of the piece was the technical elements of sound, lighting and staging.
Using a combination of static and moving LED strips hanging from above the stage, we were transported from police station to family home to the pub and beyond through seamless transitions.
Sound was used minimally, but effectively, with the aforementioned LED’s blinking in time with the piano tracks which accompanied the piece; perhaps a representation of the calculated nature of Turing and his mind.
Breaking the Code is an exploration into the personal struggles Turing, and those around him, faced throughout his life. Whilst it may have been initially staged in the 1980’s, the piece is still as relevant today, as we see the adversity faced by Turing despite his brilliance.
Breaking the Code runs at the Royal Exchange Theatre until the 19th of November.
By Russell Edge
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