Naked Stage’s latest production “Breaking the Code,” Hugh Whitemore’s 1986 bio-drama tells the story of British genius mathematician and World War II code-breaker Dr. Alan Turing, 1912-1954.
Watching a rehearsal of “Breaking the Code” was a great privilege. So was the opportunity to attend what amounted to a director’s master-class, observing accomplished director Lynn Phelan at work.
Cognisant of the fact that audiences at readers’ theater need assistance to follow the plot without the conventional theater’s clues of props, set or costumes, Phelan finds ways to provide them. Her ideas are clever, subtle and they work. Directions are explained, tried and discussed before adoption and she treats her cast with respect.
Turing is played by Allen McGill, an experienced actor and director at Lakeside Little Theatre and Naked Stage. Seasoned actor John Ward depicts Turing’s school-friend Chris, and also Ron the gay hustler. Avril Stephenson has the role of Turing’s mother Sara while – another familiar face – Michael Warren portrays Knox, Turing’s boss at Bletchley. Ron Knight is Ross the Police Inspector and Joan Warren plays Pat, Turing’s co-worker. Newcomer Frank Watson is Ross’s superior officer and later, “Smith” the undercover government agent.
The cast is cohesive, plausible and does an exceptional job, particularly as the entire cast is using English pronunciation – not just the Brits – and surprisingly well too!It’s a well-written, pacy and interesting biographical script, reflecting recent history’s bigotry and discrimination. The cast certainly does it justice, ensuring the story catches and holds the attention to the very end.
Whitemore’s storyline transitions between wartime Britain and the early 1950’s. The title’s double entendre relates to the history of the man who broke the code, both with his work at Bletchley Park during the war and as an overtly gay man, in an age when homosexuality was illegal in Britain.
Turing is best known for breaking the German’s Enigma code. His first computer, “Bombe,” was built in 1939 to do just that. Electro-mechanical it stood 1.98 meters tall by 2.1 meters wide and weighed approximately one ton.
Breaking Enigma is credited with shifting the balance of power, particularly in the Atlantic where the German U-boats were wreaking havoc among naval and merchant convoys carrying desperately needed cargoes of food and essential supplies to Britain.
Collossus, the first all-electronic computer, followed – built to decrypt German teleprinter-code known as “fish” cyphers. Technologically more complex than Enigma, they carried high-level intelligence between German High Command and its army commanders. Collossus broke the “Tunny” code in July 1942 and the course of the war was irrevocably changed. By war’s end there were ten Colossi working around the clock.
Interviewed for BBC’s Radio Four, Bletchley Park colleague and Conservative peer Baroness Trumpington said, “It was Turing’s code-breaking that saved the British people from starvation at a crucial point in the war.”
In 1952, when reporting a burglary to police, Turing admitted his homosexuality. He was immediately charged and convicted of “gross indecency.” Opting for “chemical castration” instead of imprisonment, Turing never recovered from the experience. In 1954 he committed suicide by eating a cyanide-impregnated apple.
Subsequent campaigns for an official pardon for Turing failed. A Parliamentary Pardon was rejected because Turing was “… properly convicted of what at the time was a criminal offence.” Last year the British government withdrew its opposition, deciding to request a royal pardon. An exceptionally rare event, the Queen’s Pardon was issued on December 24, 2013.
That day, The Daily Telegraph newspaper quoted Prime Minister, David Cameron. “Turing’s action saved countless lives. He also left a remarkable national legacy through his substantial scientific achievements, often being referred to as the father of modern computing.”
This production provides a well presented, interesting glimpse into the life of a genius trapped in another era. It’s also extremely topical. Enjoy!
Runs Friday, March 21, Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, 4 p.m. at Rio Bravo 10, behind Daniel’s Restaurant. Donation 80 pesos. Bar opens at 3 p.m. Box office opens at 3:15 p.m. Reservations are recommended, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..