The Globe’s official website says that McTeer will play Petruchio in the production, which begins performances Aug. 10 under the direction of Barry Kyle. Kathryn Hunter will star opposite McTeer as Katherine. In an interview with Variety, McTeer spoke about her reaction to being offered the role by the Globe’s artistic director Mark Rylance. Explained McTeer, “Mark said, 'It's all female, and we want you to play Petruchio,' and I burst out laughing. I can't possibly turn that down. I go from playing an archetypal martyr [in 'Malfi'] to a drunken male and finally get paid to scratch my balls. I just think that's hysterical."

Janet McTeer won an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for her performance in the nineties revival of Ibsen's A Doll's House. Her screen credits include “Sweet Nothing,” “Wuthering Heights,” “Tumbleweeds,” “Waking the Dead,” “Songcatcher” and “The King Is Alive.”

The current season at the Globe includes an all-male Richard II; an all female Richard III; and Christopher Marlowe’s Dido, Queen of Carthage and Edward II. For more information about the famed theatre, visit www.shakespeares-globe.org.