Gender-bending roles on stage are quite common. In an environment where female presence on stage is considered corrupt and degenerate, young male actors don wigs and skirts, portraying innocent country girls, cold and noble princesses, holy and gentle nuns, and even prostitutes capable of giving even the clergy bloody noses - and various other female roles. However, such roles are reserved for men in drag only. The stage and society still stubbornly refused to allow women to perform.
It wasn't until recently that things took a turn.
