Stage Beauty

• 6.7 Comedy
• 2004-09-03
• 106 minutes mins

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.

Starring:

Claire Danes (Maria) Billy Crudup (Ned Kynaston) Derek Hutchinson (Stage Manager) Mark Letheren (Male Emelia/Dickie) Tom Wilkinson (Betterton) Ben Chaplin (George Villiars, Duke of Buckingham) Hugh Bonneville (Samuel Pepys) Fenella Woolgar (Lady Meresvale) Richard Griffiths (Sir Charles Sedley) Clare Higgins (Mistress Revels)

Director:

Richard Eyre

Writer:

Jeffrey Hatcher