Two posts in one day? I can’t resist in the circumstances – even if the annual Spanking Writers awards, published earlier this morning, is one of my favourite posts to share in any year.
For, two years ago, I wrote here about a visit to Bletchley Park:
Back in the mid-80s.. I went to a play in London’s West End with my then girlfriend. “Breaking the Code” starred Derek Jacobi, and told the story of World War 2 codebreaker Alan Turing – and his subsequent persecution for his homosexuality, his prosecution and tragic suicide. Aside from being perhaps the greatest piece of acting I’ve had the good fortune to witness, the evening changed my life.
I’d not long left a boys public school, where tolerance of diversity was non-existent and homophobic language sadly all-too-common. The play rescued me, I’m sure, from the narrow prejudiced world view that had dominated my upbringing and enabled me to understand, to embrace, to celebrate differences…
And so a visit at the weekend to the rather chaotic, ramshackle museum at Bletchley Park, where Turing worked, was truly special; seeing his office – preserved as it was in the war – was really a very moving moment.
So news this morning of his royal pardon – so long overdue – was truly wonderful. It doesn’t right the dreadful wrongs done to a great man, or to others who suffered similar persecution:
It doesn’t mark an end to victimisation or discrimination against those whose sexuality is in some way deemed ‘different’ to those making harsh judgements. But it is fabulous, and I read the news with unashamed tears in my eyes.
I so agree with you Abel and this, surely, is one of the greatest things that good theatre gives – the ability to open minds to other possibilities and feelings.