Alan Turing, the father of the modern computer is to be celebrated with a play and exhibition as part of the annual Knutsford Heritage Open Days festival.
This September, Knutsford Promenades community association is putting on the annual festival of more than 50 free-to-attend events across Knutsford and Wilmslow, linked with national Heritage Open Days.
This year the key theme is 'Alan Turing and Technology' to acknowledge the life, work and legacy of the code breaker who worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War, computer scientist and ingenious mathematician who lived in Wilmslow and whose trial took place in Knutsford in 1952. He died in 1954, aged 41, from cyanide poisoning.
The former Sessions House (now The Courthouse) offers the chance for visitors to experience a fresh interpretation of Regina v Turing and Murray, 65 years after the event, via Virtual Reality technology and a dramatic re-enactment, commissioned nationally by Heritage Open days and created by Re-Dock and Shift Digital.
Re-Dock – the creative company from Manchester, which is putting on the live show and producing the virtual reality experience – is appealing for extras to appear in the filming of the performance to create the courtroom setting. The company is also looking for a courtroom sketch artist to take a front-row seat at each of the performances.
Filming takes place at the Courthouse Hotel on Sunday, September 3rd from 3pm. There will be three performances: one on Friday, September 8th at 7pm and two on Saturday, September 9th at 2pm and 7pm. A virtual reality exhibition will also be taking place at the venue from September 7th to the 10th.
This is the first time that anyone has attempted to cover the trial in a live performance and also the first time that the subject has been explored in the setting where the trial took place.
The theatre production is the centrepiece of the four-day event, hosted by Heritage Open Days, which runs from September 7th to the 10th.
Other highlights include the 'Salon' with talks by experts and family members about Turing's work and legacy, including Paul Kellar MBE, Sir Dermot Turing (Alan Turing's nephew), Jonathan Swinton, a very special guest, and Robert 'Judge' Rinder reading aloud from the actual Quarter Sessions records.
There will also be Enigma demonstrations, coding workshops, talks and exhibitions and a screening of 'The Imitation Game'.
The programme is packed with other linked events, such as 'Money Markets and Mathematics', Artificial Intelligence Meets Golf', 'Ultrasonic Gin and Tonic' and 'The Codes of Mixology' – plus an exhibition on the history of Cheshire from 79AD from an LGBT perspective and the 'Turing 2:46' in honour of Turing's prowess as a long-distance runner (that was his best marathon time).
In Wilmslow, the town where Turing spent the last part of his life, Wilmslow Guild is hosting two talks: 'The Diversity of Genius: a porrtrait of Alan Turing' and 'The Unexpected Legacy: Alan Turing and the campaign for equality'. Both are on Saturday 9 September and places can be booked online or by calling 01625 523903.
Councillor David Brown, Cheshire East Council cabinet member with responsibility for tourism and visitor economy, said: "This is a rare opportunity for residents and visitors to view a show, which combines the best of modern technology in an outstanding venue of historic significance.
"I urge people from Knutsford and much further afield to embrace this chance to see the show and I hope that residents will also be able to assist the theatre group in helping out as extras."
Approximately 40% of the programme is devoted to Knutsford's other historical gems and personalities. Visitors can explore the secret passage at Booths Hall and climb the bell tower of St. Johns Church. Other events include your very own 'through the keyhole experience' by visiting private homes such as The Old Laundry, Bexton Croft and Marble Arch; coding and cyber security workshops; Peaky Blinders film locations; the Fire Choir and the Weaver Valley WI Choir and Moor Art Knutsford.
Plus, the opportunity to view the Quarter Sessions record of Regina v Turing and Murray at Brook Street Chapel – where Elizabeth Gaskell is buried – and Turing's Mechanical Calculator at Tabley House collection.
Knutsford Heritage Open Days takes place Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th September. All events are free to attend, but some require pre-booking. See the Knutsford Promenades website for full details of the programme, all events and any booking details.
