AD | Tickets gifted in exchange in an honest review
Make Good: The Post Office Scandal, a new musical by Jeanie O'Hare and Jim Fortune, brings one of Britain’s gravest miscarriages of justice to the stage, shedding light on the human cost of the Post Office’s wrongful accusations.
The story centres on three main characters—Elsie, Indira, and Mohandas, played by Victoria Brazier, Charlotte Delima, and Samuel Gosrani, respectively—each of whom faces devastating consequences as their lives spiral from accusations of theft. Through these characters, we see the full impact of the scandal: divorce, debt, prison sentences, and the collapse of families and social standing.
The production, from rural theatre company Pentabus and touring company New Perspectives, brings a communal, heartfelt tone to this sensitive story. Narrator and Postman Ed Gaughan engages the audience directly, with humour and warmth that counterbalance the play’s heavy themes. The play opens with a communal song that invites audience participation, a gesture which underscores the production’s focus on shared experience as a mean of healing.
This interactive spirit continued throughout the evening, creating an atmosphere that felt both inclusive and cathartic, particularly for the real postmasters in attendance. The set design is simple but evocative, recreating the modest interior of a post office, which helps root the story in a tangible, familiar setting. The ensemble cast performs with genuine commitment, and their onstage camaraderie is palpable, particularly in moments where multi-rolling brings a humorous touch to an otherwise weighty subject matter.
However, the show’s musical elements falter somewhat. While the songs are undoubtedly heartfelt, they tend towards repetition, often covering the same emotional territory without adding depth to the narrative. This, coupled with a two-and-a-half-hour running time including the interval, diluted the impact of the storytelling. A more streamlined, one-hour version might have achieved a sharper focus. Additionally, the acting style shifted between naturalistic and pantomimic, making it unclear who the target audience might be—though some may appreciate the community-theatre feel this created.
Overall, Make Good: The Post Office Scandal succeeds in its mission to spotlight a forgotten chapter of British history, offering a touching tribute to those affected by the Post Office scandal. Despite its structural flaws, the production is a sincere and moving call for justice, inviting audiences to reckon with a story that deserves to be remembered.
★★★
Make Good: The Post Office Scandal tours the UK until 1st of December.
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