A TIMELY reminder of a shift in British society is being produced by Blackburn Drama Club this week.
Breaking The Code sees the club return to the Thwaites Empire Theatre stage tomorrow night.
The Hugh Whitemore play is based on the book Alan Turing, The Enigma.
A club spokesman said: “A compassionate and often amusing play, this shows us the remarkable mind and tragic fate of Alan Turing, mathematician and computer pioneer who broke the code in two ways.
“One was by cracking the German Enigma code at Bletchely Park during World War Two for which he was decorated by Churchill and lauded by the state. The second was by shattering the gentlemanly English code of sexual discretion and making little attempt to disguise his homosexuality. For this he was arrested on a charge of gross indecency.”
Turing was prosecuted for homosexuality in 1952 and underwent chemical castration as an alternative to prison. He died two years later from cyanide poisoning, cited at inquest as suicide. The Queen gave him a posthumous pardon in December.
Breaking The Code, Blackburn Drama Club, Thwaites Empire Theatre, tomorrow until Saturday, 7.30pm. Tickets cost £9 from 01254 685500.
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