Roe Reviews Theatre

The debut satirical production from Red Lens Acting brings a new staged perspective on the Post Office Horizon scandal. First staged in 2022 (that also featured a few cast members from this cast!) False Accounts tells the story of the subpost masters in their fight to be heard against a ‘VERY ROBUST’ computer system hen glitches in the system leads to countless shortfallings worth tens of thousands they need to pay out of their own pockets. This is the definition of working class theatre with every person in the cast so passionate about the cause and you really felt it.

Directed by Jasmine Arden-Brown and written by Lance Nielsen the play gives a come from away feel with the multirolling and the closeness we feel from the get go, getting to know each of our Mr and Mrs Smiths and how they started their branches. We get to know their families, partners and what is at stake and as the stakes get higher and so does the money we truly get invested in their stories. Special mentions to Alan Wales, Angie Castello, Aliyah Aserie and Philip Jennings for such emotional performances that at points made my heart drop.

The minimal set with a small model box that spun around to reveal the horizon computer system itself brought some very meta humour in, fuelled by Benedict Powell and Edward Loboda and Amber Gollay were enjoyable to watch and the moving narration of Elle Squires which her last words made my jaw drop!

False Accounts plays 2 more venues on it’s Midlands tour: GAP Entertainment Studios on the 3rd July and a two do shay at The Core Theatre on the 5th July!