Free Republic

High school English teachers today face prison in Florida if they have their class perform a Shakespeare play in period dress. Every Shakespeare play at the Globe required cross-dressing.Women were not allowed on English stages 400 years ago, so women’s roles were played by cross-dressing men, whether at The Globe, the Blackfriars or, what was it called? O, yeah, the Roxy. This led to the delightful scene in “The Merchant of Venice” in which Portia, played by a cross-dressing man, criss-cross-dresses as a woman playing a man, to save his/her/its friend’s friend Antonio. Right: a man playing a woman playing...

Fans were disappointed the singer chose not to perform his tribute at the Glastonbury FestivalGlastonbury revellers have been moved to tears as Elton John performed Candle In The Wind - even though it was not the 'Diana version'. The legendary star took to the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury festival for the first time in what he said may be his last ever performance in the UK. Sir Elton, 76, played a host of chis classic songs, including Tiny Dancer, Are You Ready For Love, and Don't Go Breaking My Heart. In a move surprising fans, the singer opted to...

Strictly Come Dancing will reportedly have their professional dancers team up in same-sex couples for some routines in the latest series. The show's bosses are said to be making plans for male dancers Pasha Kovalev, 38, and AJ Pritchard, 23, to dance together in the professional numbers, while Karen Clifton, 36, could be paired with another female dancer. According to The Sun, Strictly producers are keen to pave the way for same-sex dance routines - as advocated for by Dr Ranj Singh - after judges and contestants alike backed the idea.