“Lincoln wanted soldiers. I wanted excitement”
The story of Irish transgender American Civil War hero, Albert D.J. Cashier who was born on Christmas Day 1843 in Clogherhead as Jennie Hodgers, is a cracker.
No wonder then that Quintessence Theatre are returning their stage adaptation of the story, The Curious Case of Albert Cashier: Lincoln’s ‘Lady’ Soldier to the Droichead Arts Centre on September 14 before embarking on a 17 venue nationwide tour.
In August 1862,at the age of 19, Albert D.J. Cashier, enlisted with the Union Army in the Civil War. He was the shortest soldier in the regiment but Cashier was accepted as “one of the boys” and went on to become a decorated hero. Unknown to his comrades however, Private Cashier was waging an internal battles all of his own.
Years after a successful career in the army, Cashier visited his doctor who, abandoning any notion of doctor/patient confidentiality, revealed to the world that Cashier was female at birth. From that day on Albert’s greatest battle truly begins: for identity, selfhood, and truth.
In this original 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.
Here’s TG4’s version of the story:
Quintessence Theatre dedicates itself to exploring the human condition through the most theatrical means available: the actors themselves, their imagination, and embracing the live relationship between actor and audience.
The company is excited to announce that the original ensemble cast who devised the play are all back for the National Tour, including: Ceara Carney; Fiona Keenan O’Brien; Anthony Kinahan; Mark O’Reilly & Leah Rossiter.
The Curious Case of Albert Cashier: Lincoln’s ‘Lady’ Soldier was created in association with Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda and the National Tour is kindly supported by The Arts Council of Ireland.
Previous Audience Reactions
- “I really loved the play. I was genuinely moved to tears, and so much of it struck a chord with me” Aoife Martin, Trans Equality Network Ireland (TENI).
- “A spellbinding and powerful production.”
- “It will make you laugh and cry and will leave you with a lasting understanding and respect for transgender people”
- “A powerful and absorbing show…Fine ensemble work as we have come to expect and a terrific central performance from Ceara Carney”
- “Entertaining, funny, heart-felt & dramatic”
Directed by Anna Simpson; Set, Costume & Projection by Els Borghart & Declan Kelly, Lighting Design by Colin Doran, Executive Producer Paul Hayes, Poster by Niall O’Brien
Cast: Ceara Carney, Fiona Keenan O’Brien, Anthony Kinahan,Mark O’Reilly and Leah Rossiter.
The Drogheda performance of The Curious Case of Albert Cashier: Lincoln’s ‘Lady’ Soldier, which is also the launch of the national tour, takes place in the Droichead Arts Centre on Thursday 14th September at 8pm
Tickets: 041 98 33946 / www.droichead.com – €18/€16
