Ben Powell
In Turing’s Law, Glass Ceiling Theatre present a glimpse into post-war, post-conviction Alan Turing through an evening’s dalliance. This solid two-hander offers us a look at the man behind the legend.
Set in the gay scene 1950s Corfu, we meet Alan (Joe Bishop) mid-hookup with ‘Man’ (Michael Cummings), as they discuss their experiences of the war and the inner conflicts with their prohibited sexuality. Given the rise of the far-right and an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, particularly in recent years, the play feels timely despite its historical subject matter.
Turing’s Law is all too aware of how many dramatizations of the life of Alan Turing so instead chooses to focus on something less familiar, taking Turing ‘out of the history books and placing him in a very human situation and one that many gay men can relate to’, as co-writer Isaac Verrall described in an interview with FringeReview.
This play is about humanising the national hero and highlighting the idea that his conviction and treatment should be thought of as equally unjust regardless of who he had been and what he had done at Bletchley Park.
As a single-space drama, the straightforward set sufficiently conjures up the Continental escape, though I wondered if the addition of a kako mati on a dresser drawer handle or similar small details might help further the feel of a Grecian getaway.
The play follows a single conversation as it ebbs and weaves through topics from the characters hobbies to their struggles during WWII. Given that this production is an abridged version of the full-length script, it’s very well-paced. The writing feels like a chat with Stephen Fry in that it never talks down to its audience when exploring and explaining new concepts and theories, even when the characters might talk down to each other. Both performers keep conversation simmering throughout, handling the volley of secrets, flirtation and frustration between Alan and ‘Man’ with confidence.
In all, Turing’s Law is a quaint and intelligent look back at a unique point in queer history, offering an important reminder to consider the humans behind the history we learn about.
Recommended Drink: A sparkling white wine, crisp and with enough effervescence to keep conversation flowing into the evening.
Performances of Turing’s Law have now concluded at Colchester Fringe 2026.
