By: Jim Hutchins
Glitch: The True Story of the Post Office Scandal is an emotional, powerful, yet real-life story created by Reading-based RABBLE Theatre. This drama centre stages some of the real human tragedies that resulted when the Post Office deliberately and ruthlessly destroyed ordinary lives.
The telling of the story focuses on Sub-postmistress Pam Stubbs and several other people and families whose lives were devastated by the brutality of Post Office actions and lies. For many who’ve watched the scandal unfold in the news and on television, the experience of hearing the full stories from living characters in this small space will, at times, truly clutch at your heart.
There are occasions when we laugh with Pam’s character and her refusal to be intimidated, although it’s harder (but compelling) to watch as the frustrations take their toll on her with constant computer errors leading to late nights recording the actual sales figures. These recorded figures would later become crucial evidence in the legal reckoning. In the end, although innocent, Pam was forced to resign with her local reputation left in tatters.
It’s difficult to listen to the description of a strip search of an innocent woman when she goes to prison.
Most harrowing is bearing witness to how the life of Sub-postmaster Martin, one of at least 13 suicides linked to the scandal, deteriorated as he sat alone in the dark before finally taking his own life.
This scandal affected thousands of ordinary people. Marriages and families were destroyed. Even children were intimidated at school.
Despite public exposure of Post Office wrongdoing, most victims and surviving families have yet to be adequately compensated.
This play and tour are fully endorsed by the people portrayed, and the writer, Zannah Kearns, and the actors spent time with them to ensure an honest and trustworthy telling of their individual stories.
The stage design draws the audience in with precision and purpose. Lighting and sound tick away at the timeline.
At one point, the theatre audience actually represents the sub-postmasters at Alan Bates’ meeting of the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance, and we stay immersed in the story throughout.
RSC actor Joanne Howarth has been praised for her authentic portrayal of Pam Stubbs, not just by people who know Pam but even by Pam Stubbs herself.
Naveed Khan (playing David, Daljit, Green, and Sir Alan Bates), Sabina Netherclift (Kay Linnel, Swift, and Hilary), and Laura Pennycard (Nora, Tracey, Jan, and the Judge) excelled not only in their convincing representations of multiple people but also in their execution of the smooth choreography of scene, costume, and character changes.
The talent of the cast of four, together with direction by Gareth Taylor and dramaturgy by Bet Flintoff, made it all the more convincing while demanding our emotional involvement. It was very easy to forget that we were watching actors and not actually the real people involved.