Quintessence Theatre

Droichead Arts Centre and National Tour of Ireland 2023

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Photography: Jenny Matthews

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“Lincoln wanted soldiers. I wanted excitement.”

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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 America that Cashier was actually assigned female at birth, born Jennie Hodgers, of Clogherhead, Co. Louth. From that day on Albert’s greatest battle truly begins: for identity, selfhood, and truth.

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In this new play, devised by the company, Quintessence Theatre used their innovative physical ensemble story-telling techniques to create an original dramatization of the incredible true story of the Clogherhead born transgender soldier.

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This was Quintessence Theatre’s final play in their 'Hear Me Roar: Women, Gender, and Silence' programme as Theatre Company in Residence with Droichead Arts Centre 2019-2020, before being revived and embarking on a 17 venue National Tour of Ireland in Autumn 2023, supported by Arts Council Ireland.

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CAST

Ceara Carney

Anthony Kinahan

Mark O'Reilly

Leah Rossiter

Fiona Keenan O'Brien

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CREATIVES & CREW

Directed by Anna Simpson

Choreography by Anna Simpson & Fiona Keenan O'Brien

Set & Costume Design by Els Borghart and Declan Kelly

Lighting Design by Colin Doran

Sound Design by Anna Simpson

Costume Supervisor Sandra Taylor

Audio Recordings, editing, & trailer by Steven Larkin

Poster Design by Niall O'Brien

Production Management by Brenda McComesky

Relighter and Technical Management by Sophie Cassidy

Social Media Management by Ceara Carney

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Created in association with Droichead Arts Centre, supported by Arts Council Ireland.

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Reviews:

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A wonderful production full of inventive physicality...Director Anna Simpson creates a rich theatrical method including mime, shape-making an dance...theatrically fancy, but full of heart, hope, and jubilance"

Irish Independent

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"Touching, amusing and exciting...an affecting, ambitious theatrical piece"

The Review Hub

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"Impressive...inventive and stylish...quite unique"

No More Workhorse

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