Glitch

Photo by Tony Bartholomew

Review by Catherine Larner.

We’re sadly all too aware of the horrific injustices faced by ordinary, hardworking people through the failings of the Horizon IT system in the Post Office. The four-part series on ITV, ‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’ brought the tragedy and trauma of individual stories to the fore, and it garnered such public outrage that government was at last forced to address the issue.

Yet still they fight on.

So this stage play, telling the story of one postmistress, is vital in reminding us of the travesties experienced by so many.

‘Glitch’ was actually conceived and written before the TV drama was screened. Commissioned by the University of Reading’s law department, it was written by Zannah Kearns in 2021, and is now being toured by Rabble, the theatre company which seeks to tell stories of national significance, championing women.

The play focuses on Pam Stubbs who took over the Post Office in Barkham, Reading, on the death of her husband, but was subsequently wrongly accused of fraud and theft. Knowing that she was innocent of these claims, she took paper copies of every transaction, seeking to counter the false records of the software system. This ultimately proved the errors which had been denied by the Post Office.

Photo by Tony Bartholomew

Joanne Howarth took on the role of Pam Stubbs and was fabulous. She completely inhabited the part and was compelling to watch. Yes, we felt something of the nightmare she was experiencing but we were also inspired by her determination and resilience.

The other three actors were strong and confident, taking on multiple roles, seamlessly stepping from one to another with a clever use of props and choreography of movement. The sound effects were a little intrusive and unnuanced, though, and the set appeared a little basic, but it was versatile in transitioning from the local Post Office to the courtroom.

It was a well-presented drama, with excellent acting, but I felt this production needed a new perspective, theatrically, because of an inevitable comparison with what has been presented in such a significant piece of television. Though, in her closing monologue, Pam acknowledges how ‘telly’ brought about the action that was so lacking in the courts and justice system, this play is missing a trick in taking her story to the next level. And it’s such an important story, I wanted more.

Still, the audience whooped and cheered so perhaps that was just me.

Glitch is on tour until April 2026.

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