What's On

Transgression Life in the Aftermath of the Eocene

January 2024

Tickets £17 Standard and £13 ConcessionsRunning Time: 90 minutes with an interval

Venue Information

White Bear Theatre
138 Kennington Park Rd, London SE11 4DJ

It's the 1990s and the societal revolution to smash the nuclear family is on the horizon. A psychoanalyst battles against the demise of established traditions, while younger women debate pregnancy and the relevance of a father's name on a birth certificate. It's all an uphill campaign to rattle the patriarchy until a father and son face the unthinkable. When the dust settles a new birth order awaits future generations.

As sheer entertainment, Transgression is a ferociously funny play underpinned by intellect and the conflicts and desires that make going-it-alone a viable contender to romantic coupling and all its compromises.

Key Creators

Playwright Loretta Monaco is a writer who enjoys exploring the witty aspects of seemingly complex and fraught-ridden relationships.

While based in New York, she worked with comedic ideas to drive home disparities in political and social structures, receiving both praise and condemnation for plays that dramatise fissures in concepts of democracy and the sanctity of family relationships.

Prior to moving to London in 1990, she joined Working Stages, a Manhattan-based theatre company, which produced a compilation of her short plays Off-off-Broadway ie, What's the Matter with Mother?, Raymond You Sonofabitch, and Labyrinth.

Once in London, Loretta joined The Playwrights' Cooperative, now defunct, during which time she enjoyed rehearsed readings of her work at White Bear Theatre, London and other venues in and around the city centre. In 2015 she wrote and directed Testimony, a comedic drama set in a courthouse that played to sold-out audiences – earning both rave reviews and damning criticism – at the Etcetera Theatre, London.

Presently, she hopes audiences will enjoy the tragic/comedic couplings in Transgression while appreciating the difficulties in sustaining equilibrium in modern-day relationships.

Director Bryan Oliver is also an actor and a writer. He has written and directed many plays on the London Fringe and at The White Bear Theatre. He recently directed his play “Scavengers” at the Camden Fringe Festival. The play was a finalist for a Standing Ovation Award and has been nominated for an OffFest Award. He has also had plays produced by both BBC Radio 4 and Radio Telefis Eireann in Ireland.

As an actor, he’s played leading roles in Theatres around the country and worked for many touring theatre companies. He’s also acted in shows in Denmark and Canada and was awarded best actor (Festival du Cinéma de Paris) some years ago.

He is a founder member of Urban Wolves Theatre Company and The Actors Gateway where he’s been teaching the Meisner acting technique for many years.

Main Cast

Bruce Allinson (Graham): Spotlight Prize and BBC Carleton Hobbs Award finalist. Soon appearing in 'Blue Buttercream' and 'Mute'. Credits include 'Henry V' at Bath Abbey and Temple Church, and 'All's Well That Ends Well'. Skilled in various accents, drums, percussion, and sports.

Alexandra Etudor (Addie): Versatile actress. Featured in Google Pixel ad, skilled in dance (Bachata, Salsa), fluent in Igbo and Spanish. Expert in radio presenting and sports enthusiast (Kick Boxing, Yoga).

Zara Hadeshian (Susan): Versatile actress with a 3-year diploma from ArtsEd Drama school. Praised for seamlessly navigating serious to comedic roles. Notable credits in short and feature films, commercials, stage, and television. Skillful in various accents and accomplished in salsa dancing, singing, and ballroom dance.

Jonathan Hansler (Tom): Versatile actor with a commanding presence. From sinister villains to charismatic leads, his extensive credits span film, stage, television, and more. Master of diverse accents, skilled in music, dance, and voice work. A true storyteller and performer.

Abigail Moore (Hannah): Versatile actress with RP and diverse American accents. Accomplished in dance (Ballet, Contemporary), skilled in singing, choreography, and diverse performance styles. A director, drama coach, and dance teacher. Proficient in various sports, stage combat, and voice-over work.

Main Creatives

India Day (Sound Designer): Crafting auditory landscapes that elevate storytelling. A maestro in sonic artistry, transforming narratives into immersive sonic experiences.

Liberty Monroe (Set and Costume Designer): Weaves visual tales with ingenuity. A master in transforming spaces, bringing characters to life through captivating designs.

Jodi Rabinowitz (Lighting Designer): Precision meets creativity in every illumination. An extraordinary lighting designer, she transforms spaces into captivating visual symphonies, bringing visions to radiant life.

Fae Hochgemuth (Stage Manager): Precision in every cue, a maestro behind the scenes. With a keen eye for detail, Fae orchestrates seamless productions.