‘Lincoln wanted soldiers. I wanted excitement.’
Belvidere, Illinois, 1862: A young Irishman, Albert D.J. Cashier, enlists with the Union Army in the Civil War and becomes a decorated hero. But unknown to his comrades, Private Cashier is waging an internal war all of his own. When he is fifty years a veteran an indiscreet doctor reveals to all of America that Cashier was assigned female at birth, born under the name Jennie Hodgers, from Clogherhead, Co. Louth, Ireland.
From that day on Albert’s greatest battle truly begins: for identity, selfhood, and truth.
Presented By: Quintessence Theatre, in association with Droichead Arts Centre
Duration: 135 minutes. One interval
The performance will be followed by a short post-show discussion with the director/cast & LGBTQ+/Trans rights advocates to open up the discussion of Albert’s story & the parallels with the challenges faced by the Trans community in Ireland today. The discussion will be facilitated by Mark Ball. Mark is a theatre-maker (directing, dramaturgy and facilitation), and Artistic Director of Super Paua, a company making theatre and art for young people who think it’s not for them. Mark is a queer artist who’s interested in work that brings in unheard voices and is delighted to be chairing the panel and discussing the work presented by Quintessence Theatre.
Mark Ball. Photo Credit : Ste Murray
Cast & Creative Team
Director: Anna Simpson
Starring:
Ceara Carney
Fiona Keenan O’Brien
Anthony Kinahan
Mark O’Reilly
Leah Rossiter
Set, Costume & Projection: Els Borghart & Declan Kelly
Lighting Design: Colin Doran
Executive Producer: Paul Hayes
Poster by: Niall O’Brien
National Tour Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland
