Stage Beauty

"She was the first of her kind. He was the last of his."

Oct 29 2004 R 1h 46m
Drama

Humble Maria, who outfits top London theater star Ned Kynaston, takes none of the credit for the male actor's success at playing women. And because this is the 17th century, Maria, like other females, is prohibited from pursuing her dream of acting. But when powerful people support her, King Charles II lifts the ban on female stage performers. And just as Maria aided Ned, she needs his help to learn her new profession.

Plot

Based in the 1660's of London's theaters, this film is about the rules of gender roles in theatre production, and means to change them for everyone's benefit. Ned Kynaston is the assumedly gay cross-dressing actor who has been playing female parts in plays for years, particularly Desdemona in Othello, he also has a close relationship with a member of the Royal Court, the Duke of Buckingham. One day however, the rules of only men playing women could change when aspiring actress Maria auditions as Kynaston's praised role, Desdemona, and soon enough, King Charles II decides to make the law that all female roles should be played only by women. Maria becomes a star, while Ned finds himself out of work. But after a while, Ned finds it in his nature to forgive Maria's aspiration, they may even fall in love, and Charles may proclaim women will be played by either gender.

Written by

Jeffrey Hatcher

Directed by

Richard Eyre

Cast

Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Rupert Everett

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Germany, United States of America, United Kingdom

Production Companies

Lions Gate Films

Languages

English

Awards

4 wins & 1 nomination

Trailers
Stage Beauty HD Digital Trailer
Scores
# of Votes
10,904
Average Rating
7.1 out of 10
Metascore
64
Popularity
NA