“A poignant new musical full of hard truths and heart”
The Post Office Scandal made international news when it was revealed that
thousands of sub-postmasters were owed compensation due to the gargantuan
failings of the Horizon technology rolled out by the Post Office. Horizon
consistently showed false shortfalls, with sub-postmasters accused of stealing
the money, rather than the system itself being reviewed. These sub-postmasters
suffered huge financial loss, family breakdown, societal alienation, unjust
criminal convictions, false imprisonment and at least 4 took their own lives due
to the situation they faced. With still no persecutions of those responsible, the
case continues to drag on, making this production still hugely relevant today.
Make Good follows the stories of 3 sub-postmasters who were wrongfully
accused of false accounting and theft. Peppered with direct address monologues
to keep the audience informed of the facts, the musical assumes an audience
already across the basics of this horrific series of events.
I was privileged enough to be seated next to 2 ex-postmasters who both
concluded that the show was not only completely accurate and in line with their
own experiences, but also cathartic and inspiring. My row companions and I
were moved to tears while hearing the stories of these people, scored with
beautiful music and lyrics by Jim Fortune.
Despite following the tragic stories of a select few of the impacted sub-
postmasters, this production does well to illustrate just how many people were
affected by the multiple failings of the Post Office. A front row choir helps to
build a strong vocal ensemble and give brief cameos as survivors of the scandal.
The book, written by Jeanie O’Hare is poignant and moving, but also
lighthearted and cheerful. O’Hare perfectly captures what the Post Office used
to represent, and the sense of community created by the dedicated sub-
postmasters.
The 4 performers create a flawless ensemble, transforming from their sub-
postmaster characters to judges, auditors, relatives, pensioners and everything in
between. Each is vocally accomplished, with Victoria Brazier standing out with
her stunning musicality and moving performance as Elsie, a sub-postmaster
who is implied to have committed suicide after her wrongful conviction.
The onstage musicians are masterful in their performance of the score, moving
between instruments seamlessly. Never drawing attention to themselves they
remain quietly in the background, bringing the masterful music to life.
Fortune has written a brilliant collection of songs, with the most moving and
ironically the catchiest You are not the only one, bookending the show and
perfectly cocooning the story.
Although a musical may seem a strange format with which to tell this story,
Fortune and O’Hare have truly created a masterpiece. Honouring the horrors
these people experienced while maintaining a sense of hope, community and
looking to the future. Surely it’s just a matter of time before this is picked up for
a West End staging.
