Breaking the Code

During the Second World War, tucked away in the country at Bletchley Park, the most brilliant mathematical minds in Britain were working to crack the complex German military code known as Enigma. At Bletchley, Turing's genius was recognised immediately and Churchill insisted he was given all the resources he needed in to break the code. His efforts shortened the war by two years and saved an estimated two million lives, but since his work was classified top secret for years after the war, no one knew how much was owed to him.

When he was later put on trial and publicly humiliated by the revelation of his sexuality, he chose to undergo chemical castration rather than serve a prison sentence, which left him physically and mentally debilitated. In 1954, he died by his own hand, aged 41, forgotten and alone.

Over half a century later, Turing is now lauded as a British hero. After being posthumously pardoned by the Queen, his story was immortalised in the film The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Derek Jacobi also took London and Broadway by storm in this exceptional biographical drama about a man who broke more than one code.

Hugh Whitemore’s compelling and acclaimed play investigates who he was, what happened to him and why. It’s a compassionate and poignant depiction of the life of an extraordinary man, his creativity, his yearning for love and companionship and his deep humanity.