Stage Beauty

Set in the 1660s at a time when live theatre womens roles were played by men, Edward Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup) is England's most celebrated leading lady, using his beauty and skill to make the great female roles his own. But when Charles II (Rupert Everett) is tired of seeing the same old performers, the ruler allows real women to tread the boards and men may no longer play womens parts.

Virtually overnight Ned becomes almost a complete nobody and seems headed for despair until his ex-dresser turned actress Maria (Claire Danes) takes it on herself to make a man of him again.

Critic Reviews:

• " “Stage Beauty” has the grace and charm of a great play. It has its acts, its drama and its comedy. " – Wesley Lovell

• " ..the kind of picture that comes with challenges but is not afraid to meet them – or indeed, overcome them – head on. " – David Keyes

• " Richard Griffith was stellar as the lecherous Sir Charles Sedley. Ben Chaplin was good as the Duke of Buckingham. A jolly good show. " – Vince Koehler