12 women playing male roles

Hilary Swank portrays Brandon Teena, a teenager with an extraordinary double life in the film 'Boys Don't Cry'Picture: Reuters Credit: Reuters

Kathryn Hunter plays the Fool to Greg Hicks's 'King Lear' at The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon. Kathryn Hunter has a lot of experience playing male roles, mostly Shakespearean ones.Picture: Rex Features Credit: Rex Features

Kathryn Hunter is seen here portraying Richard III at the Globe TheatrePicture: Alastair Muir Credit: Alastair Muir

Kathryn Hunter as Mr Ido in 'The Bee' at The Soho TheatrePicture: Alastair Muir Credit: Alastair Muir

Phyllida Lloyd directed this all-female cast in "The Taming of the Shrew" at Shakespeare's Globe in London. l-r: Kathryn Hunter (Katherina), Janet McTeer (Petruchio)Picture: Donald Cooper Credit: Donald Cooper