Breeches Roles

DramaTech’s production of Sweeney Todd will feature several breeches roles. Originating in the mid-1600s during Shakespeare’s era, a breeches role is a role played by a woman depicting a male character. The demand for breeches roles increased as operas grew in popularity throughout the late seventeenth century and early eighteenth. Today, breeches roles can be spotted not only on Broadway but also on television and in movies. Common present breeches roles include Peter Pan from Peter Pan and our very own Pirelli from Sweeney Todd.  

Peter Pan was originally played by a woman, Sandy Duncan, in 1979: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XQgQKwHus8