It's a Drag: Cross-Dressing in Performance looks at how performers over the whole period of theatrical history have cross-dressed and why: to tell stories, to amuse, to create memorable alter-egos, to call attention to social and political issues, or merely for expediency. Janet Tennant considers the present and future, and whether the drive towards gender equality will render cross-dressing redundant.
In addition to its memorable portraits of Shakespearean boy actors, pantomime dames, and other cross-dressing performers across history, It’s a Drag takes stock of the present and considers the future of the practice: How will the drive toward equality affect the use of cross-dressing and cross-gender role casting? Will gender-blind roles become as prevalent as color-blind casting? And will cross-dressing continue to amuse and impress audiences, or can we imagine a time when gender differences will cease to be important?