Alan Turing: A Musical Biography – Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Alan Turing – A Musical Biography continues at Paradise in Augustines – The Sanctuary until 19 August 2023.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

I have a question – is it possible to encapsulate a person’s whole life in a little over one hour? After watching Alan Turing – A Musical Biography from Early Mornings Productions I say yes – it is possible and that is exactly what this highly emotive Edinburgh FestivalFringe production has managed to do and do with great aplomb.

In the capable hands of two highly skilled actor/singers who share the responsibility of recounting both Turing’s personal life story and his lasting contribution to computer science we are taken on a perilous journey, a journey of a genius, of injustice and cover-ups.

The two performers; Joe Bishop playing Alan Turing and Andrea Zara Cooke who multi-tasks, as a modern-day biographer, Alan’s mother, his fiancée, arresting officer and school teacher, manage to tell Turing’s story from early childhood to his sad and early demise.

It would be easy to emphasise or exaggerate Turing’s inability to interact with others but Bishop subtly shows us Turing’s emotional turmoil, his vulnerability, and at times we are given glimpses of his unsophisticated humour, his quick wit and of course his mathematical genius. While Cooke’s ease and composure on stage, clearly and deftly define some of the most important influences in Turing’s short life, these characters are never overstated or caricatured, they serve their purpose and help balance the story.

Both performers have strong melodic voices and give depth and understanding to the lyrics which most certainly drive the story along.

Musically, I found it hauntingly beautiful. Composed by Joel Goodman and Jan Osborne, their songs and underscoring bring cohesion to the whole production. The staging by director Jane Bowen is simple and effective, never getting in the way of the story, with minimal movement encouraging us to focus on the spoken word and the lyrics of the songs. No further embellishments are needed.

Flo White