Was little women originally played by men?

Question

Was little women originally played by men?

Answer 1

No.

Alcott's "Little Women" and the plays based upon it was written long after women had gained access to the stage.

The whole "boys playing women" thing pretty much died out, with an occasional revival, after Shakespeare's time.

Which is not to say, however, that female impersonators ceased to exist.

The Japanese raised the "Onnagata" to a treasured art form,

and even in today's Western society, if you subtract the Camp/Flaming/Homosexual value from female impersonation by males, you can find some very affecting performances.

Just as not all g**s are female impersonators, not all female impersonators are g*y. It is a challenge to do the mannerisms of the opposite s*x. And it ain't as easy as it looks.

It is, however, an extremely enlightening experience. If you are female, how does a male act and react? And vice-versa. Why and how?

This is a good acting exercise.