Glitch

27th June - 6th July 2024

The Minghella Theatre, University of Reading

Glitch – The true story of the Post Office scandal

Written by Zannah Kearns
Dramaturgy by Beth Flintoff

Pam Stubbs has been sub-postmistress of Barkham Post Office for over twenty years, respected and loved locally in equal measure. But when unexplained discrepancies start appearing in her accounts, Pam finds herself caught up in one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British legal history.

This new work, specially commissioned by Reading University, is a first-hand account of Pam’s inspirational story.

Ahead of the full-scale touring production in 2025, RABBLE Theatre and the University of Reading are pleased to present Glitch, the true story of the Horizon scandal.

In association with

Cast

Elizabeth Elvin - Pam Stubbs

Liz is enjoying a long and prolific career on stage and screen in diverse productions from musicals to Shakespeare and from TV dramas to sitcoms in a variety of roles ranging from Cruella De Ville to Portia in The Merchant of Venice. Her work has spanned many West End and regional theatres and also Stateside, in LA. Highlights have been Shirley Valentine (best regional actress award); A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (with Frankie Howerd), HG Wells: War With The World with Sally Hawkins and Michael Sheen and Hot Fuzz with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

Fayez Bakhsh - Daljit & ensemble

An Actor since 2014, Fayez was born in Reading, UK to Yemeni parents. He is also a keen poet/rapper and illustrator.
Credits include BAFTA nominated mini-series The State (Channel 4), Tyrant (FX and Sky), The Attack (BBC), The Girl Before (HBO/BBC) and Seasons 1 and 2 of the BAFTA nominated Silverpoint (BBC).
Stage credits include The National Theatre (Tartuffe), The Globe Theatre in Neuss, Germany (Twelfth Knight) and Soho Theatre (Ministry of Lesbian Affairs).
Most recently Fayez performed at St Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn New York and The Shakespeare Theater in Washington DC.

Laura Penneycard - Nora & ensemble

Laura trained at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and now lives nearby in Kintbury. The last 15 years have been a delightful mix of London, touring and regional theatre; including The Mousetrap, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Bristol Old Vic, Birmingham Stage, Yellow Coat Theatre, Queens Theatre, Torch Theatre, Rosa Productions and ACT Productions.
She has also worked in TV and film, most notably in Doc Martin! For RABBLE she has done a fair few Off The Blocks and development projects, the radio production of Who Killed Alfred Oliver?, and has been lucky enough to be involved in Glitch from the start.

Sabina Netherclift: Kay & ensemble

Sabina trained with Jacques Lecoq in Paris and has been working as a performer, director and movement director for over 25 years. She is Co-Artistic Director of Filament Theatre, and a resident artist at South Street Arts Centre, most recently co-creating ‘An Incomplete History of the Oxford Road’ for their award-winning Sitelines programme. As a performer, theatre credits include working with the Young Vic, RSC, The Gate Theatre, Clod Ensemble as well as undertaking development work for Young Vic and National Theatre Studio. TV includes ‘Doctors’ and ‘Rome: the Rise and Fall of an Empire’ She regularly teaches for RABBLE’s Get Up On Stage Adult Acting School.

Watch: A glimpse into the production

A Nick Flintoff Film

Production Team:

Writer – Zannah Kearns
Dramaturg – Beth Flintoff
Directors – Gemma Colclough and Gareth Taylor
Composer – Benjamin Hudson
Designer – Caitlin Abbott
Lighting Design – Oliver Welsh
Publicity Design – Rebecca Pitt

Glitch was commissioned by Professor Robert van de Noort CBE and Professor James Devenney at the University of Reading. It is based on an original concept by Elizabeth Conaghan.

The Story of the Project

In 2022, the University of Reading’s School of Law contacted RABBLE Theatre to ask if we’d be interested in developing a new play based on the largest miscarriage of justice in English legal history.

RABBLE tell local stories of national significance and on hearing that the story was based on Pam Stubbs, who was a local sub post mistress until her life was shattered by the Horizon scandal, we agreed that this was a project that very much suited our aims.

Zannah Kearns has created a script that deals brilliantly with the complexities and emotional challenges of the story. Over the last year, Zannah has worked with our associate writer Beth Flintoff (Henry I, Matilda the Empress, Henry II, The Last Abbot) and RABBLE’s creative team to develop the script, soundtrack and movement style at a first stage development process. This process also included students from both the University of Reading’s Film, Theatre & Television Department and the School of Law. We are grateful for funds received from the University of Reading’s Community Fund and Arts Committee which have enabled the play’s development and staging.

We are now excited to be staging this version of the production ahead of a planned national tour next year.

Running time: 1 hour.

Production Content Guide

Our content warnings are updated as a production evolves through rehearsals and previews, so please be aware they may change between booking a ticket and seeing the production. Appropriate signage will also be displayed at our performances and you will be reminded through audience comms. If there are specific themes or triggers which you would like to discuss before booking or before attending a performance then please contact us.

This production contains;

Scene and dialogue that reference suicide.
Strobe lighting.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a trusted individual or contact a mental health professional or helpline.

Watch how we created the show with the University

“As a theatre company, we have the opportunity to represent the voices of those who have been silenced. Pam’s story is one of immense courage, determination and inspiration that we are privileged to be able to tell.”

Dani Davies, RABBLE Co-Founder

“We have seen in recent weeks just how important drama and storytelling can be to make an impact in society, by appealing to the imagination of public and politicians alike.”

Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading.

We are grateful to the following sponsors for their support: