A moving new musical by Jeanie O’Hare and Jim Fortune, produced by Pentabus and New Perspectives, tells the heart-wrenching tale of the Post Office Horizon scandal. The ensemble cast of six features four actors – Victoria Brazier (Elsie), Charlotte Delima (Indira), Ed Gaughan (Patrick the Postman), and Samuel Gosrani (Mohandas) – and two musicians, Màth Roberts and Rowan Elliott, who skillfully play an array of instruments, including violin, harp, guitar, keyboard and even a typewriter (yes, a typewriter!).
Opening with Patrick the Postman’s witty observation about the character of a letter, the show swiftly takes the audience to a Warwickshire village in 2009, where subpostmasters including Alan Bates share stories of wrongful accusations and ruined lives. The powerful refrain “You are not the only one. You never were the only one…” underscores the collective nature of their suffering, emphasising the vast number of lives affected.
Gosrani delivers an unforgettable portrayal of Mohandas, grappling with discrepancies he can not resolve and singing, “…watch me fall and watch me fail… nothings adding up here anymore.” The raw emotion resonates deeply, reflecting the mounting stress and despair felt by innocent subpostmasters as they faced unjust accusations. Brazier’s heart-rending vocals singing “…If I Could Grow a Money Tree…” evokes the longing for relief and the unimaginable sacrifices many made, such as remortgaging homes to keep their post offices afloat. Many losing family, homes, reputations and lives.
The musical doesn’t shy away from hard truths, from the software’s inception to the tragic outcomes, reminding the audience that many subpostmasters did not live to see their names cleared. Yet, amidst the anguish, there is hope: the show’s title, ‘Make Good’, is a challenge to the government to right their wrongs. The production’s most poignant invitation comes as the audience joins in the song “What is age?”, symbolising unity and resilience.
With 50% of its donations going to the Horizon Scandal Fund, Make Good is more than a musical – it is a call to action and a tribute to courage, resilience, and community.
Would you like to see the show?
You can book tickets for the following Midlands shows;
20 November, 7:30pm, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Market Place, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6AD
21 November, 8pm, Wythall Community Club, Wythall House, 52 Silver Street, Wythall, Birmingham B47 6LZ
22 November, 7:30pm, Feckenham Village Trust, High Street, Feckenham, Redditch, B96 6HN
23 November, 7:30pm, Quatt Village Hall, Quarter, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV15 6QW
27 November, 7:30pm, Hereford College of Arts, Folly Lane, Hereford, HR1 1LT
28 November, 7:30pm, SpArc Theatre, Brampton Rd, Bishops Castle, SY9 5AY
29 November, 8pm, The Edge Arts Centre, William Brookes School, Farley Rd, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, TF13 6NB
30 November, 7:30pm, The Talbot Theatre, Whitchurch, SY13 2BY
1 December, 7pm, Thimblemill Library, Thimblemill Rd, Smethwick, B67 5RJ
For more details about the show and to book tickets: https://pentabus.co.uk/make-good-post-office-scandal