The remarkable story of transgender soldier in US civil war comes to Nenagh Arts Centre

A new play about a remarkable Irish soldier in the American civil war comes to Nenagh Arts Centre this Saturday, October 21.

The Curious Case of Albert Cashier: Lincoln's 'Lady' Soldier, tells the story of how at Belvidere, Illinois, in 1862 a young Irishman, Albert DJ Cashier, enlists with the Union Army and becomes a decorated hero.

But unknown to his comrades, Pte Cashier is waging an internal war all of his own.

When he is 50 years a veteran an indiscreet doctor reveals to all of America that Albert Cashier was assigned female at birth, born under the name Jennie Hodgers, from Clogherhead, county Louth.

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 and 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.

Quintessence Theatre dedicates itself to exploring the human condition through the most theatrical means available: the actor themselves, their imagination, and embracing the live relationship between actor and audience.

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 and Leah Rossiter.

Tickets: €16. Booking through nenagharts.com or call 067-34400.