Boy actors were carefully selected for their youthful appearance and trained to embody feminine characteristics effectively. They would often rehearse diligently to perfect their vocal inflections, gestures, and movements associated with femininity. These actors were highly skilled and could convincingly portray diverse female characters, ranging from queens and heroines to maids and enchantresses.
Some of the well-known boy actors of that period include Robert Armin, Edward Alleyn, and Nicholas Tooley. They were celebrated for their talent and the depth of emotion they brought to their female roles. These actors became famous in their own right and were highly regarded by audiences and fellow performers.
While having male actors play female roles may seem unusual to modern audiences, it was an accepted practice during Elizabethan theater. In fact, some argue that the boy actors had the advantage of a more malleable physicality, allowing them to convey a broader range of feminine emotions on stage.
Nevertheless, as societal attitudes gradually changed, the practice of using boy actors began to decline by the end of the 17th century. Eventually, women would take their rightful place as actresses on the stage, leading to the flourishing of female performers and a richer representation of women in theater and beyond.