Going Global

Going Postal

Carlton Players

The Little Theatre

09/04/26

A stage adaptation of Going Postal, based on the Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett, is a joyful, inventive production that captures both the wit and heart of the original story while revelling in the magic of live theatre, considered one of Pratchett’s best later works, frequently described as funny, witty, and fast-paced.

At the centre of the story is Moist von Lipwig (Liam Carr), the charming conman thief. and professional liar. When his innumerable crimes catch up with him Lord Vetinari (Paul Griggs), the city's ruler, gives Moist a choice: face the noose or take over the run-down, long-defunct Post Office as Postmaster General. The Post Office is a tired, derelict building overflowing with thousands of undelivered letters; his staff amount to one ancient Junior Postman Tolliver Groat (MEC) who has a penchant for the Regulations and dangerous home remedies, and one Apprentice Postman Stanley (Evan Dunn) with an unhealthy obsession for pins. Moists predecessors have all met untimely and often gruesome deaths; and he must go in direct competition with the business behemoth, The Grand Trunk Clacks Company a semaphore tower system (a fantasy version of the internet) run by the ruthless Reacher Gilt (Elliot Kinnear). Gilt together with the Board of Directors has turned a useful public service into an expensive, malfunctioning monopoly for profit. But if anyone can con an entire city into believing he actually knows what he is doing, then Moist von Lipwig is the man. Aided by his unfortunate staff, and an ever-watchful Golem Pump (Lee Crosbie). Moist teams up with (and falls for) the chain-smoking Adora Belle Dearheart (Alex Wharton) manager of the Golem Trust. She is sharp-tongued, fiercely principled, and is wonderfully grounded amidst the absurdity. Moist believes he may just be able to deliver; as his life most assuredly depends upon it. As news of the reopening of the Post Office spreads, as Moist recruits’ new postmen and restores the building’s signage and invents stamps and reopens the mail coach route Harriet (Tink Kirby) & Bill (Lee Patterson) to other major cities, the people of Ankh-Morpork flock to participate. Ambitious journalist Sacharissa Cripslock (Natasha Williams) follows the story of the reawakening of the postal system with intense tenacity reporting on an ever improving and successful Moist. 

The set design turns the dilapidated Post Office into a character in its own right. with hundreds of letters piled high on the stage, demonstrating the enormity of the task ahead for the incoming Postmaster. Creative staging and playful use of props keep the pace brisk, lighting and sound supported the action well, with this fast and often chaotic script., There were moments where cues could be tightened slightly, but let’s put that down to opening night gremlins. The voice overs were very effective, however for Gryle (Jools Gallagher) they presented some issues with timing of the dialogue which took away from the performance briefly. 

I am to understand that there was a change in director though this production, with Elliot Kinnear stepping in to finish the production. It was clear that it was well rehearsed and Elliot has done an excellent job carrying forward a version of the original vision. There were some minor blocking issues towards to end of the production and I thought the combat scenes could have been better executed, but these are small notes in an otherwise excellent display. This talented Carlton Players cast fully embraces Pratchett’s eccentric world. Standout moments come from the delightfully obsessive Stanley and the unsettling yet darkly comic presence of Reacher Gilt, whose polished menace provides a perfect foil to Moist’s reluctant heroism. Each character felt vividly drawn, contributing to this delightful production.

In the end, Going Postal is a celebration of storytelling itself, this production honours Pratchett’s legacy with affection. This was my second experience at Carlton Little Theatre of the world of Terry Pratchett I am now undoubtedly a fan, as I feel the audience the evening I watched will be.

Thank you for my warm welcome, and once again for an entertaining evening of live theatre I look forward to seeing your next production.

 

 

Joanne Rymer

NODA

District 4

 

 

 

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