“The Turing Machine”, a box office and artistic success from Greece, features the exceptional performance of Orfeas Avgoustidis as Alan Turing (Athinorama Audience Theatre Awards 2022, Best Actor, 1st Prize), adapted and directed by Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos. After 200 sold-out performances and over 63,000 spectators in Athens and Thessaloniki, the production concludes its cycle of performances at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre on 19 and 20 May 2023, at 20:30. Due to high demand, an additional performance has been added on Saturday, 20 May 2023, at 17:00. All performances are sold out.
The play tells the compelling story of Alan Turing, the mathematician who cracked the Nazi Enigma code during World War II and was later prosecuted for his homosexuality. Despite his enormous contribution to the Allies’ victory and to the fields of computing and artificial intelligence, his achievements remained unrecognized due to persecution, public humiliation, and his eventual suicide, until 2013, when Queen Elizabeth officially acknowledged his services.
Turing was an untamed spirit, far ahead of his time, an enemy of intellectual puritanism, devoted to his vision, and outside all societal norms. A mathematical genius, a “war hero,” and above all, a defender of human imagination and individuality. His life is proof that the human soul can surpass every limit, every societal imposition, every stereotype, and every inhibition.
Critical acclaim
"There were many reasons for the success of this production: first and foremost, the adaptation and direction by Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos. (…) And of course, Orfeas Avgoustidis’ acting mastery, his sensitive approach to every facet of this brilliant mind, the 'code of human nature,' showing its sadness, passion, ceaseless search, the grievance of rejection, but also the inner strength of a man whose intellect others overlooked." – Athens Voice
"…Avgoustidis delivers a thrilling performance of mathematical precision and madness. Papaspiliopoulos’ direction guides him through this whirlwind, utilizing every inch of the space, playing with lights, shadows, and sounds (lighting by Nikos Vlasopoulos), creating a universe that captures something of the vast world of mathematics and the protagonist’s extraordinary mind. The contribution of Olga Brouma’s set, realistically depicting a 1950s apartment while allowing the director’s vision to transcend strict realism, is excellent. The production’s strength lies not only in acting skill, directorial mastery, and technical precision but also in its ideological weight." – Tonia Karaoglou, Athinorama
"Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos relies on Antonis Galeos’ fluent translation and the lead actor’s exceptional performance to execute a theatrical experience with meticulousness, precision, and imagination. The production possesses rhythm, substance, emotion, and theatricality, without deviating from its intended course. (…) Orfeas Avgoustidis embodies the tragic figure at the heart of the Allies’ victory over Germany, conveying the sensitivity of a wounded psyche, strength, passion, free-spirited energy, and the truth of a brilliant scientist. His performance is truly mesmerizing, balancing intensity with masterful control over the vulnerability and variability of the character." – Dina Karra, Onlytheater
"Avgoustidis fills the stage without excess, transforming into the five main characters of the original text using only his voice and body. (…) He becomes Alan Turing, creating a mosaic performance where madness flirts dangerously with memory and frustration. He does not merely recreate a story; he touches Turing’s life with tenderness and respect." – Eirini Driva, Documento
"Papaspiliopoulos directs freely and fearlessly, approaching the hero and all his facets without separating mind from body, person from history, or compromising the story’s truth. His direction whispers and sometimes shouts what we must learn about Alan Turing. Avgoustidis enters this directorial world, fulfilling the artistic vision with verbal and physical ease. (…) The performance features seamless transitions, with heroes appearing and disappearing as Avgoustidis engages in a breathtaking acting choreography, revealing his talent without showiness. (…) A love scene performed with only his body and a chair creates a powerful theatrical moment, further enhanced musically by Mariza Rizou. Through dark musical moments and intimate lyrical touches, she creates a transparent yet perceptible musical fabric throughout the performance, serving both hero, actor, and audience." – Christos Tzifas, I Avgi
Production Details
Playwright: Benoît Solès
Inspired by: Hugh Whitemore’s play Breaking the Code
Based on the book: Andrew Hodges, Alan Turing: The Enigma
Alan Turing: Orfeas Avgoustidis
Director/Adapter: Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos
Translation: Antonis Galeos
Set & Costumes: Olga Brouma
Lighting: Nikos Vlasopoulos
Music: Mariza Rizou
Assistant Director: Thaleia Griva
Photography: Elina Younanli
Trailers: Akis Polizos
Communications: Antonis Kokolakis
Production Management: Christina Niarou
Production: Michalis Adam – Prime Entertainment
Duration: 90 minutes
Media Sponsors: Alpha Cyprus, Alphanews.live
Tickets: www.Soldoutticketbox.com and at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre Box Office (Mon–Fri 10:00–13:00)
Information: +357 22797979 (Mon–Fri 10:00 – 13:00), www.nicosia.org.cy
Festival identity:
Organizers: Nicosia Municipality, Nicosia For Art
The Festival is presented by ECOMMBX.
Institutional sponsor: Ministry of Culture, Republic of Cyprus
Silver Sponsor: Cyprus Public Transport
Bronze sponsor: Embassy of Spain in Cyprus, Deloitte Legal
Hospitality sponsor: The Classic Hotel