Alan Turing Bio-Drama ‘Breaking the Code’ at Barrington Stage

Mark Dold

Mark Dold plays Alan Turing in ‘Breaking the Code’

(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – “Breaking the Code,” Hugh Whitemore’s biographical drama of Alan Turing, the famed mathematician and computer science pioneer who solved the German Enigma code during World War II, opens at Barrington Stage Company (BSC) on Thursday, July 17, 2014, and runs through Saturday, August 2.

Many believe the Turing Machine, the computer Turing designed to break the code, was instrumental in the Allied victory. The title refers to both the solution of the Enigma code and Turing’s open admission to his homosexuality, which at the time violated not only the codes of polite society but also British law.

The production stars Mark H. Dold as Turing, and is directed by Joe Calarco.

“Breaking the Code” starred Derek Jacobi on stage and screen in the role of Alan Turing. Following a London run in 1986, the play had its NY premiere November 15, 1987 at Broadway’s Neil Simon Theatre. Jacobi recreated his role in a 1996 made-for-TV movie.

On December 23, 2013, Turing was given a posthumous royal pardon by Queen Elizabeth II, addressing his 1952 conviction for gross indecency following which he was given female hormones to suppress his sexual desires. He had been arrested after having an affair with a 19-year-old Manchester man. The conviction meant he lost his security clearance and had to stop the code-cracking work that had proved vital to the Allies in World War II. The pardon was granted under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy after a request by Justice Minister Chris Grayling.

Breaking the Code will be presented at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday through Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday and Friday matinees at 2pm (excluding 7/19), Sunday at 5pm. There is an additional matinee on Saturday, August 2 at 2pm. Press Opening: Sunday, July 20 at 5pm. Tickets start at $20. Low priced previews July 17-19 tickets are $15/$20. Youth ages 6-18, tickets $15/$20 all performances (subject to availability). (413) 236-8888.

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.