Stage Review GLITCH

Actors Joanne Howarth and Laura Penneycard in Glitch at Derby Theatre A Rabble Theatre production Photograph Tony Bartholomew

Glitch

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Written by Zannah Kearns

Directed by Gareth Taylor

Background

Glitch is a stage play that tells of the plight of hundreds of subpostmasters wrongfully accused and held accountable for financial shortfalls within their small businesses. 

The writer, Zannah Kearns, did not need to exaggerate, blur or make anything up; the stories of the subpostmasters and the injustices and unfair scrutiny they all experienced, was, absolutely, for real.

From 1999 to 2015 victims were embroiled in a living nightmare. It was not until 2019 that the High Court ruled that the Horizon IT system had not been robust as initially claimed and that hundreds of subpostmasters had been wrongfully prosecuted; resulting in a public inquiry. 

The catalyst came in the form ITV's 4 part drama series Alan Bates vs the Post Office (2024) when the wrongs served on the unfortunate individuals was acknowledged, addressed and some way compensated by all agents involved and when the general public finally sat up and took notice.

Unlike the TV programme Glitch does not focus on the dogged determination of Alan Bates and his mission for justice for all involved. Of course, Sir Alan is characterised in this play as one could not exclude him from any telling of the Post Office scandal.

This play focuses on former subpostmaster, Pam Stubbs and her individual experience of this shameful chapter in recent history. 

Comment

Psychologically audiences engage their brains differently when something is true and factual than they do with anything fictional. Therefore, it is important that Glitch exists, if only to revisit and to 'see' another form in the telling of this real life saga and to later serve in educating and informing future generations of what actually occurred.

Actor, Joanne Howarth is incredibly naturalistic and captures both the tenacity and positivity of Pam when fighting-the-good-fight.

Actor Naveed Khan in Glitch at Derby Theatre A Rabble Theatre production Photograph Tony Bartholomew

It was a nice surprise to realise that the male member of the cast of four, is Naveed Khan, the same Naveed (a contestant) from TV's The Great Pottery Throw Down. The reviewer had seen Naveed perform in a previous stage incarnation and in television shows and movies too. However, dots were never joined seeing him in the pottery. This new knowledge gained, goes a long way in explaining Naveed's natural ease that he displayed when in front of the camera on the GPTD show. 

The cast of Glitch - forefront Actor Sabina Netherclift at Derby Theatre A Rabble Theatre production Photograph Tony Bartholomew

Ensemble players Laura Penneycard and Sabina Netherclift switch between the multi-characters that they skilfully perform, and, along with Naveed are all players who possess creative talent and versatility.

Stage Review GLITCH by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended the performance at Derby Theatre on March 05 2026 at 7.30pm

REFERENCES

Derby Theatre Glitch press night - Derby Theatre (04 and 06 March 2026)

Rabble Theatre Glitch printed programme