SHOP STAGE BEAUTY
IMDb >
Stage Beauty (2004)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsStage Beauty (2004)
| Photos (see all 2 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 2 videos ) |
Overview
Tagline:
She was the first of her kind. He was the last of his.Plot:
A female theatre dresser creates a stir and sparks a revolution in seventeenth century London theatre by playing Desedmona in Othello. But what will become of the male actor she once worked for and eventually replaced? full summary | add synopsisAwards:
3 wins & 1 nomination moreNewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Crudup Begs Parker for Visitation Rights (From WENN. 20 December 2004)
Crudup Never Expected To Date Danes (From WENN. 14 September 2004)
User Comments:
English thespians moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Derek Hutchinson | ... | Stage Manager | |
| Mark Letheren | ... | Male Emilia / Dickie | |
| Claire Danes | ... | Maria | |
| Billy Crudup | ... | Ned Kynaston | |
| Tom Wilkinson | ... | Betterton | |
| Ben Chaplin | ... | George Villiars, Duke of Buckingham | |
| Hugh Bonneville | ... | Samuel Pepys | |
| Jack Kempton | ... | Call Boy | |
| Alice Eve | ... | Miss Frayne | |
| Fenella Woolgar | ... | Lady Meresvale | |
| David Westhead | ... | Harry | |
| Nick Barber | ... | Nick | |
| Stephen Marcus | ... | Thomas Cockerell | |
| Richard Griffiths | ... | Sir Charles Sedley | |
| Zoe Tapper | ... | Nell Gwynn |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for sexual content and language.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
106 minLanguage:
EnglishColour:
Colour (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreCertification:
Brazil:16 | Germany:12 | South Korea:18 | Australia:M | Iceland:12 | Argentina:16 | Netherlands:AL | Singapore:M18 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R | Canada:14A (Ontario)MOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Kate Winslet was originally offered the female lead but she pulled out shortly before filming started. moreGoofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Pepys is telling Kynaston to play a man's role, Kynaston's lips are out of sync with his speech in some shots. moreQuotes:
Sir Charles Sedley: Kynaston... It feels I've had the honour already.Ned Kynaston: Or you've already had the honour of feeling it.
Sir Charles Sedley: Obviously I'm behind on my drinking.
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Stage Beauty (2004) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
| Excalibur | Shakespeare in Love | Alexander | The Full Monty | Victor Victoria |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb UK section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |











This movie has the blessing of the flawless direction of Richard Eyre, who knows a lot about kings and queens. The screen play is adapted by the author of the play, Jeffrey Hatcher. Surprisingly, these two men have been able to create a film that is not only visually satisfying, but it also is an adult entertainment.
This movie gives us a glimpse of how theatre functioned in England up to the times of Charles II. The female roles of all plays were portrayed by male actors. The school of acting in that era was an artificial one where actors relied in gestures and affectations that would be laughable today in a serious drama, but that was the way it was the accepted Method then, nothing to do with Stanivslaski, or Strassberg.
The leading figure of that theatrical world was Ned Keynaston, who was the most famous Desdemona of his time. There must have been a lot of gay men that were attracted to that world, as was the case with Mr. Keynaston, who might have been bisexual, although that comes as a secondary subplot. This actor is greatly admired by all, including the dressing assistant, Maria. This girl loved to be in the theatre, but could not, because only men were allowed. So instead, she goes to a second rate company that puts on plays in a pub and emerges as Margaret Hughes, an actress in her own right who will challenge Keynaston's Desdemona and makes that role, her signature role as well.
Claire Danes, as Maria, or Margaret Hughes, has never been better! She shines as the girl whose ambition is to be on stage. She is wonderful in the part. Ned, played with gusto by Billy Crudup, shows an unexpected range, although he has done theatre extensively. Both of these actors takes us back to London and make us believe that what we are watching.
A glorious English cast behind the two American principals are gathered to play effortlessly the theatrical figures of the time, and also the King and his court. Ruper Everett, as King Charles II, is hilarious. The scene in which he plays in drag with his mistress, Nell Gwynn, is one of the best things of the movie. Also, Richard Griffith, as lecherous Sir Charles Sedley, gives a stellar performance. Ben Chaplin, as the Duke of Buckingham, reveals the ambiguity of the men that were attracted to those early thespians.
Thoroughly enjoyable because of Richard Eyre's direction and eye for detail.