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Breaking the Code

  • Hugh Whitemore
  • Full Length Play, Drama, 1940s / WWII
  • 7M, 2F
  • ISBN: 9780573016561

Derek Jacobi took London and Broadway by storm in this exceptional biographical drama about a man who broke too many codes...

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama

  • Time Period: 1940s / WWII
  • Set Requirements: Bare Stage/Simple Set
Derek Jacobi took London and Broadway by storm in this exceptional biographical drama about a man who broke too many codes: the eccentric genius Alan Turing who played a major role in winning World War II; he broke the complex German code called Enigma, enabling allied forces to foresee German maneuvers.

Since his work was classified top secret for years after the war, no one knew how much was owed to him when he was put on trial for breaking another code; the taboo against homosexuality. Turing, who was also the first to conceive of computers, was convicted of the criminal act of homosexuality and sentenced to undergo hormone treatments which left him physically and mentally debilitated. He died of a suicide, forgotten and alone.

This play is about who he was, what happened to him and why.

REVIEWS:

"Powerful, riveting drama."

NY Daily News

"Elegant and poignant."

 Time Magazine

"The most important serious play of the season."

 Christian Science Monitor

Premiere Production:

Breaking the Code was first presented at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guilford on September 15th, 1986 and subsequently at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London on October 21, 1986.
Breaking the Code opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre on November 15, 1987.

  • Casting: 7M, 2F

  • MICK ROSS
    ALAN TURING
    CHRISTOPHER MORCOM
    SARA TURING
    RON MILLER
    JOHN SMITH
    DILLWYN KNOX
    PAT GREEN
    NIKOS
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    Derek Jacobi took London and Broadway by storm in this exceptional biographical drama about a man who broke too many codes: the eccentric genius Alan Turing who played a major role in winning World War II; he broke the complex German code called Enigma, enabling allied forces to foresee German maneuvers.

    Since his work was classified top secret for years after the war, no one knew how much was owed to him when he was put on trial for breaking another code; the taboo against homosexuality. Turing, who was also the first to conceive of computers, was convicted of the criminal act of homosexuality and sentenced to undergo hormone treatments which left him physically and mentally debilitated. He died of a suicide, forgotten and alone.

    This play is about who he was, what happened to him and why.

    $24.95