Breaking the Code

A different class - Paul Wilson as Alan Turing - photo by Adam Gonet

ALAN Turing's fall from grace was as heartbreaking as it was distasteful. The brilliant mathematician and computer scientist turns the tide of the Second World War by cracking the supposedly uncrackable Enigma code. Seven years after peace is declared he's prosecuted for homosexuality. Disgusting, abhorrent and it all took place in a country that serts itself up as a bastion of fair play. This remarkable man's demise and genius are remembered in Breaking The Code, Hugh Whitemore's exceptional and beautifully crafted play currently playing at Altrincham Garrick. For me, this is the company's best production of the year so far and, thanks to the expert and clever direction of Barry Purves I can't seeing it being bettered in 2015. Purves, instinctively creative, and a strong cast ensure this engrossing tale has maximum impact and the Garrick's intimate Lauriston Studio also plays it's part in making sure it's impossible to remain impervious to the sheer power of the piece. Paul Wilson really impressed me in An Inspector Calls on the main stage but as Turing he manages to raise the bar even higher. Paul conveys Turing's immense intellect and the character's vulnerability with an equal amount of conviction. This is particularly apparent when Turing confronts his light-fingered lover Ron Miller, an excellent Anthony Morris, over some missing money. Mark Edgar is also a study in versatility as the hard nosed copper Mick Ross and the avuncular, lovable Dillwyn Knox, one of Alan Turing's contemporaries at Bletchley Park. While this is sad tale there is a healthy sprinkling of humour throughout Whitemore's classy, cliche free script. But brace yourselves for an ending that's sure to leave everyone but the heartless choked up. Magnificent.

Warrington Guardian Theatre review

Alan Turing's fall from grace was as heartbreaking as it was distasteful. The brilliant mathematician and computer scientist turns the tide of the Second World War by cracking the supposedly uncrackable Enigma code. Seven years after peace is declared he's prosecuted for homosexuality. Disgusting, abhorrent and it all took place in a country that sets itself up as a bastion of fair play. This remarkable man's demise and genius are remembered in Breaking The Code, Hugh Whitemore's exceptional and beautifully crafted play currently at Altrincham Garrick. For me, this is the company's best production of the year so far thanks to the expert and clever direction of Barry Purves. Purves and a strong cast ensure this engrossing tale has maximum impact and the Garrick's intimate Lauriston Studio also plays its part in making sure it's impossible to remain impervious to the sheer power of the piece. Paul Wilson really impressed me in An Inspector Calls on the main stage but as Turing he manages to raise the bar even higher. Paul conveys Turing's immense intellect and the character's vulnerability with an equal amount of conviction. This is particularly apparent when Turing confronts his light-fingered lover Ron Miller, an excellent Anthony Morris, over some missing money. Mark Edgar is also a study in versatility as the hard nosed copper Mick Ross and the avuncular, lovable Dillwyn Knox, one of Alan Turing's contemporaries at Bletchley Park. While this is sad tale there is a healthy sprinkling of humour throughout Whitemore's classy, cliche free script. But brace yourselves for an ending that's sure to leave everyone but the heartless choked up.