Search

Saved articles

You have not yet added any article to your bookmarks!

Browse articles

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

GLITCH

 
Paul T. Davies Review by Paul T. Davies 4 Published: 16 Feb 2026 New Wolsey Theatre Show Dates: 14 Feb 2026-14 Feb 2026

The Post Office Horizon scandal is ingrained in the minds of millions of people thanks to the TV series Mr Bates vs The Post Office. It may feel that there is nothing further to experience about the shocking miscarriage of justice, yet Rabble Theatre’s Glitch by Zannah Kearns, at the New Wolsey Theatre as part of their UK tour, proves otherwise. A powerful script and excellent production keep our shock and anger active.

A powerful script and excellent production keeps our shock and anger active

Focusing on the experience of sub-postmistress Pam Stubbs of Barkham Post Office, there is an almost forensic approach to the amount of information conveyed, but it’s delivered with crystal-clear clarity, and when it focuses on individuals there is an emotional depth that defies its 80-minute running time.

The cast of four are excellent, a smooth ensemble who pay tribute to the victims but avoid stereotyping the accusers. The interesting aspect of Pam Stubbs is that she is a difficult, feisty heroine who manages to avoid traditional notions of “victim”. Sparky and barbed, Joanne Howarth is completely believable, thrumming with authenticity that keeps us with Pam throughout the play. The other three actors multi-role superbly, aided by a simple but effective design in which boxes contain costume items and totems that indicate the person portrayed. Laura Penneycard, with just a change of gilet, transforms characters. Naveed Khan, currently dazzling viewers in The Great Pottery Throw Down, displays his fine set of acting skills, from kind customer David to Sir Alan Bates, with whom Pam shares many a bloody-minded quality. Sabina Netherclift is outstanding in all her roles, from prosecutor to the widow of a Post Office sub-postmaster who took his own life. This really underlines that we still don’t know everything about this scandal, but we do know that at least 13 sub-postmasters have died.

The design by Caitlin Abbott is powerfully simple, the lives in boxes symbolic not just of the huge amount of data, but the lives the Post Office seemed determined to pack away and lock up. Gareth Taylor’s direction is beautifully judged and sensitive, and the play grips us throughout.

Pam Stubbs was angry that it took a TV drama to bring this scandal fully to light, and the main takeaway from this outstanding production is that none of the perpetrators is behind bars, having been found guilty of corporate manslaughter.

Related to this article:

Location:

Performances

The Blurb:

The true story of the Post Office scandal.

Pam Stubbs has been sub-postmistress of Barkham Post Office for over twenty years, respected and loved by the community.

But when unexplained discrepancies start appearing in her accounts, Pam soon finds herself at the heart of the biggest miscarriage of justice in English legal history.