1927: Japanese Actors Rank High in Female Parts

"Early in the long reign of the Tokugawa shogunate, women were forbidden to appear on the stage in Japan. That was the Puritan period of Japanese history and the shoguns decided that women on the stage corrupted the country's morals. The prohibition resulted in the development of a remarkable group of men who impersonated women.

"During the centuries this art was so richly developed that today it is difficult for one to believe that some of the actors are not women. Secrets of the art have been handed down from father to son. Great impersonators who had no sons adopted capable boys and trained them from childhood.

"The greatest living male 'actresses' are Baiko and Utayemon, both more than seventy years old. They still essay the roles of young and beautiful geisha girls, and Japanese audiences are so pleased with their art that they forget the ravages of age."

~From Corsicana Democrat and Truth (Corsicana, Tex.), January 13, 1927 

1897: No Corsets for Her

No Corsets For Her

"The theatrical world of New York has been agitated during the past week by the action of pretty Jennie Whitbeck, who threw up a decidedly profitable engagement because the costume required by the part necessitated the wearing of corsets. Miss Whitbeck announced that she had never worn corsets and never will. The part Miss Whitbeck had signed for was that of Little Bo-Peep in a new play which starts out next season, and when the plate design for the costume - French shepherdess style with tiny waist, puffs over the hips, high heels and all - was sent her Miss Whitbeck nearly had hysterics. 'I won't!' she said. 'You will!' said her manager, he will sue her if she persists in her refusal. Miss Whitbeck airly says that there are other managers. She declares the average manager would be unable to see any beauty in the Venus de Milo, but nevertheless she will never endure the stiff torture of a corset."

~From The Houston Daily Post (Houston, Tex.), Saturday, August 7, 1897