HANNAH Jarrett-Scott grins as she says it’s quite exhausting being a man.

Right now, Hannah is set to star in the dramatic reworking of the Tron Theatre’s production of The Taming of the Shrew.

Re-written by Jo Clifford, all the male parts are performed by females - and vice-versa.

Hannah smiles as she points out the challenge of role reversals has taken quite a toll.

“You are giving a lot of yourself to this piece,” she says with a wry smile.

“The whole idea has been tiring – and confusing – when it comes to the issue of gender (swapping).

“We’ve been having long, long discussions about identity and sometimes we would actually walk out at the end of a long, long day in rehearsals feeling exhausted.”

Hannah adds; “But because we’ve been talking about gender all day it means you notice so much more.

“You notice how, for example, gender is so ingrained in society. In the pub after work you realise the difference the way men and women are dressed.

“And I have to say I’ve been fascinated by the process. And it was really interesting to hear Jo talk about her journey.”

Jo Clifford is a transgender woman who has stimulated the debate about what it is to be male or female, or indeed to consider the labels that society attaches.

As such, character’s such as Petruchio and Lucentio are men in Shakespeare’s play.

However, Hannah plays Lucentio as a woman. Katherine is the shrew who frightens men, while her sister Bianca is loveliness personified. It’s the sweet Bianca that Lucentio falls for.

But Bianca is played as a boy, who is now looking for a nice woman to love.

“Lucentio as woman is still a bit of a lecher, still wanting to win Bianca and get to her – sorry, get to him,” says Hannah, smiling. “It can be all a bit confusing.”

What will the audience learn from watching gender swap theatre, in particular this iconic play being repositioned?

“It will make the audience think about gender,” says Hannah.

“That’s what makes it so interesting,”

“I think that’s Jo’s intent all along.

She adds; “My character may have all these (male) traits which I may not necessarily identify with but I still have to play them as a woman, which is where it gets really interesting.”

So Lucentio is projecting his masculinity onto this person?

“That’s it,” she agrees. “We’ve set up this idea that the (story) is post-patriarchal, so it’s the matriarch, so I think you can do that to a certain extent.

“But ultimately the characters have certain things about them which make you act in a certain way, whether they are played as male or female.”

Hannah says it’s timely such a re-writing of a Shakespearean classic has emerged.

“Right now, with everything that has gone on with the #MeToo movement, and the feminist movement and sexual harassment, it means it’s very interesting to play Lucentio at this time.

“I’m not a feminist who is a man hater. I don’t have that agenda in life. But I feel the confrontation in this play is really interesting to tackle when you switch around the sexes.”

She adds; “I’m not one to embrace conflict in real life. But I think the play will divide opinion. Some will love and it . . . and I’m curious to see how men and trans people respond to the text.”

Hannah has much more to consider than gender swap lines and sensibilities.

“The structure of the play has been slightly changed but so much has been added. I created the sound with the sound designer and it’s coming from our perspective, as women.”

Hannah is also a musician and a songwriter.

“What’s great is that music is a bit part of Scottish theatre at the moment.

“And I get to sing a couple of modern songs in this play, so it means there’s a bit more of Hannah can come through.

“It’s a bit of an experiment for me but it’s something I’ve really enjoyed and want to do more of in the future.”

In recent times, the actress appeared in the star cast of Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of), also at the Tron. Where she was also a man.

“I was,” she says, smiling of the play which allowed for the heightening of the difference between the sexes in a playful, comedic way.

Is there something of this technique brought to bear in the Taming of the Shrew?

“Yes, there is actually. As much as there are some dark moments in this production, there are some real shockers, especially when you layer on the dark music, there is also a sense of fun.

“And what really helps is we all get on so well as as a cast, as was the case with Pride and Prejudice.”

Hannah’s mum is an actress, Isabella Jarett. Her dad, Scottie Anderson, was a stage manager.

“I was born in the theatre, well actually my mum was pregnant while on stage with me. It’s where I’m happiest. It all feels so real.”

The actress adds, smiling; “I don’t know what else I would do if I’m honest.”

Well, part of the time she would play football.

I play for a community team, United Glasgow. It’s trans-welcome, completely open set of teams And I love it. I love being a team player.

“But when I get a job I’m away for eight weeks and when I come back it’s harder to get in the team so I have to just train.”

Hannah recently appeared in a play about football at Stratford east.

“That was my dream job, playing football on stag,” she says, smiling, although playing a woman who is really a man must be up there.

The Taming of the Shrew, The Tron Theatre, March 20-30.