This volume investigates the historical and cultural significance of cross-dressing as a performative act across various artistic mediums. Editor Lesley Ferris compiles a collection of essays that examine how the subversion of gender norms through costume and performance functions within theater, cabaret, opera, and dance. By integrating foundational academic texts with newly commissioned research, the book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the intersection of performance theory and gender representation.

Scholars and students of performance studies frequently identify this collection as a foundational resource for examining gender dynamics on stage. The text is noted for its academic rigor and its ability to bridge the gap between historical practice and contemporary critical theory.