Gender bias in theatre.

I had this discussion just the other day, when I noted that a number of leading west australian female playwrights have used male leads, and a higher proportion of male actors in their plays. I also noted, that in my own writing I often find it hard not to write for a male lead...something that struck me as decidedly odd. My friend and I discussed and debated this concept for some time. In the end we came to the conclusion that a lot of it has to do with audience perception. Work, whether plays, books or movies, written by women about women are perceived as being only for women. Unless they are about action figures, or criminals they are labelled as chic lit/chic flicks and only worthy of female attention. Whereas work written about men, are considered relevant to both genders. Harry Potter, written by a female, male lead. If it had a female lead, what's a bet it would have been relegated to 'girls only?' So as a female writer, working in community theatre, dealing with more female actors than male actors, is it any wonder I write male leads? That is, if I want an audience to attend...