Artspod Chats: Mark Edel-Hunt

Artspod Chats: Mark Edel-Hunt

Cracking Humanity: Mark Edel-Hunt on Playing Alan Turing in Breaking the Code

When Mark Edel-Hunt takes the stage as Alan Turing in Breaking the Code, he steps into the shoes of one of the most brilliant yet misunderstood figures of the 20th century. For Edel-Hunt, the role is both exhilarating and daunting.

“Playing Turing isn’t about presenting a caricature of genius,” he says. “It’s about showing a man who was constantly questioning, who loved deeply, and who was deeply human. That’s what makes him so compelling to play.”

Hugh Whitemore’s celebrated play, adapted from Andrew Hodges’ biography Alan Turing: The Enigma, is revived in a new co-production from Oxford Playhouse, Royal & Derngate Northampton, Landmark Theatres, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, and HOME. Directed by Jesse Jones, the production shines fresh light on Turing’s story, not just his wartime achievements cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, but also the persecution he faced in the aftermath.

For the first time, the play features a new epilogue by Neil Bartlett, which acknowledges Turing’s Royal pardon and the impact of “Turing’s Law.” Edel-Hunt sees this as vital. “The epilogue means we’re not just telling a story that ends in tragedy,” he explains. “We’re also recognising his legacy, how far we’ve come, and how his life continues to shape modern Britain.”

Yet for Edel-Hunt, the most powerful aspect of the play is its intimacy. “Turing’s a name that everyone knows, codebreaker, war hero, the man who changed history. But what’s extraordinary is discovering the man behind that: someone vulnerable, eccentric, funny, and often lonely. That’s where the heart of the play lies.”

Taking on such a role has also prompted Edel-Hunt to reflect on his own path as an actor. “Theatre is a tough industry,” he admits. “There’s rejection, instability, the constant hustle. But the magic happens in those moments of connection with an audience. That’s why we do it.”

Asked about the future of theatre in an era of digitalisation and AI, he remains hopeful. “Technology will change the way we tell stories, of course but there’s nothing that can replace the shared experience of live performance. That electricity in the room, the sense that anything can happen, it’s irreplaceable.”

In the end, Edel-Hunt sees Breaking the Code as both a tribute and a challenge. “Turing cracked codes, yes,” he reflects. “But he also cracked open ideas about truth, love, and identity. He never stopped asking questions. And as actors, and as audiences, maybe that’s what we should carry forward.”

He smiles. “It’s not breaking a code that matters — it’s where you go from there.”

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About The Show

Mastermind. Code breaker. Maverick. Arguably one of the most important and inquisitive minds of the twentieth century.  Alan Turing is famed for cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park, effectively securing victory for the Allied forces in WWII.

From triumph to tragedy, get to know a human being who loved, lost and never stopped asking questions in a quest for truth and understanding in this new production of Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking The Code.

For the first time, taking into consideration his recent Royal pardon and the development of Turing’s law, the original play will feature a new epilogue by Neil Bartlett that speaks to Turing’s lasting legacy on modern Britain.

Breaking The Code UK Tour

• Northampton – Royal & Derngate
  Thu 11 September – Sat 27 September 2025

• Barnstaple – Queen’s Theatre
  Tue 30 September – Sat 4 October 2025

• Oxford – Oxford Playhouse
  Tue 7 October – Sat 11 October 2025

• Peterborough – The Key Theatre
  Tue 14 October – Sat 18 October 2025

• Liverpool – Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse
  Tue 21 October – Sat 25 October 2025

• Manchester – HOME
  Tue 28 October – Sat 1 November 2025