“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.

In this original new play devised by the company, Quintessence Theatre use their innovative physical ensemble storytelling techniques mingled with multi-media of stunning projection and emotive music to dramatise the incredible true story of the Clogherhead-born transgender soldier.

Directed by Anna Simpson (a Creative Associate of the Pleasance Theatre, London, and Practitioner with Shakespeare’s Globe) this exciting, moving & often comedic production, unearths a gem of a tale about a forgotten hero of Irish history, and explores urgent modern questions around gender, self-determination, and human tenacity, paralleling the struggles of the transgender community today.

Presented by Quintessence Theatre in association with Droichead Arts Centre.

Photo by Jenny Callanan

Duration: 2 hours with interval

Age recommendation: PG