Codebreaker tribute film is a web hit

AN Oldham theatre company has seen its first film become an internet hit.

Pink Triangle Theatre created the short educational film, “Dear Alan — A Tribute to Alan Turing”, prior to a Channel 4 docudrama on the Second World War code–breaker was shown on Monday night.

Made by volunteers — with no budget and borrowed equipment — the completed film was uploaded to video-hosting sites Vimeo, Youtube and Facebook and combined views reached more than 2,000 in its first weekend online.

Filmed at Gallery Oldham and Sackville Gardens, in Manchester, the film tells the story of Clive Preston, a teacher who wrote a letter to Alan Turing on his 12th birthday.

Paul Burgess, who wrote, produced and directed the film and also plays the part of Clive, said: “I wanted this film to be the right mix of entertainment and education and I think we pulled that off. The feedback we’re getting so far has been amazing. Five people worked on the film in total, so it really was a team effort.”

The Channel 4 programme, “Britain’s Greatest Codebreaker”, documented the brilliance — and the destruction — of one of the 20th century’s greatest minds.

Turing helped to break the German Navy’s WWII Enigma code machines; did much of the initial thinking on modern computing, and even developed theories about the way biological cells develop into specific types — the last of those unfinished when he committed suicide after his arrest for homosexual offences.

Mr Burgess added: “One California teacher has already promised to show it to all her students.”

Jason Bromley, who also appears in the film and produced all of the original music for it, as well as being the cameraman, said: “The film has been viewed all over the world. This is a fantastic achievement for an Oldham-based theatre company, and important for the memory of such a great man.”

The film was also shown at the pre-launch of LGBT History Month at The Oval House Theatre, in Kennington, London, yesterday, following a day of practical workshops at the Oval cricket ground.

Copies of the “Dear Alan — A Tribute to Alan Turing” DVD can be requested by e-mailing info@pinktriangletheatre.co.uk.

The film can be seen on www.vimeo.com/31930423 or www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBMuWQxAub0.