52 Monologues for Young Transsexuals – Soho Theatre

Despite the apparent universal agreement that ‘culture wars’ are destructive, divisive and politically debilitating, there’s little sign of a ceasefire. In fact, the bad faith battles which raged with ugly fervour on social media have become the lingua franca of senior members of the cabinet and the UK’s Prime Minister.

Vindictive conflict, which bins truth for fraudulent punches has been normalised on a global scale. Caught in the relentless crossfire, the trans community has been widely forced to retreat, for self-care and preservation. While the ‘trans agenda’ obsessively preoccupies the media, it’s rare to actually hear a trans perspective that isn’t then trounced and savaged by a ‘gender critical’ diatribe. High kicking and lip synching into this grim mise-en-scène are Laurie Ward and Charli Cowgill with their show 52 Monologues for Young Transsexuals.

It’s a bracing cocktail of performance art, confessional cabaret and showbiz agitprop. The mix of disciplines could prove messy in lesser hands, but Ward and Cowgill deliver this theatrical mash-up with winning authenticity, nuclear charm and shocking gusto. What makes this show radical and enlightening is the unapologetic reportage from the frontlines of the transfeminine experience.

Dating, sex work, transition, toxic relationships and the conflict between feminism and femininity are all topics that the duo tackle using dark humour, personal anecdote and the verbatim contributions of trans women they interviewed for the show. The blurred line between research and reality collapses into a meta melange where the overriding theme is an abundance of fear and an optimistic hope for love and acceptance.

It’s a rapid-fire rollercoaster that’s rich with revelation. There’s a lot to unpack in a very lively hour, but Cowgill shares a story of living with her boyfriend’s parents that stayed with me for hours. She would douse tampons in blood from her fella’s nosebleeds, then leave them in the bathroom bin for his mother to find. Cowgill created ‘evidence’ of her womanhood in fear that it might be questioned. It’s a raw and gory window onto the anxiety and insanity of living in a world where being trans can necessitate a high level of performance just to stay alive, never mind negotiating romance and wily mothers.

The approach to trigger warnings was hilariously ambiguous. They flashed up on screens to the synchronised thump of a techno track. Was it a warning flag or an ironic dramatic device? Either way, there was no time to flee for sensitive souls, as Ward and Cowgill rolled on at a breakneck pace, sliding down a razor blade of satire and trauma. It’s a delicate balance, but the pitch is sharply executed.

At one point, they halt a surreal depiction of sexual assault and inform the audience that following Ward’s real life experience of an attack while at the Edinburgh Fringe, they’ve since edited the scene. It’s painful, powerful and grim in equal measure. Art and life are colliding and curdling live on stage.

52 Monologues for Young Transsexuals never feels worthy or ponderous, despite an abundance of heavy themes. The overall spirit is 21^st century punk rock, even if the soundtrack is shimmering disco. It’s fitting that the show closes with the duo doing a routine to No More Tears (Enough is Enough) by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer. It’s a toe-tapping, showstopping banger, fusing fury, frustration and empowerment. Ward and Cowgill have skilfully distilled that disco classic’s soaring roar and turned it into a unique theatrical showdown.

52 Monologues for Young Transsexuals is at Soho Theatre until March 16^th. https://sohotheatre.com/events/52-monologues-for-young-transexuals/

Reviewer: Stewart Who?

Reviewed: 5th March 2024
North West End UK Rating: