Stars: Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, Ben Chaplin, Zoe Tapper, Tom Wilkinson, Richard Griffiths

Director: Richard Eyre

Summary: In the seventeenth century the roles of women in live theatre are played by men and one of the most famous is Ned Kynaston. When Charles II tires of the same old faces he decides to allow real women on the stage. Overnight Ned becomes a nobody and heads towards suicide until an actress named Maria decides to rescue him.

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Edward "Ned" Knyaston (Billy Crudup) is a beautiful man, and as an actor in 17th-century London that means he's quite popular portraying women, since females are forbidden to tread the boards. His mischievous air of entitlement, unfortunately, soon sets in motion a chain of events that will see King Charles II (Rupert Everett) lifting the ban on actresses, allowing Ned's devoted dresser, Maria (Claire Danes), to become the city's reigning theatrical diva.

Director Richard Eyre (Iris) is still best known for his stage work, and it shows: Stage Beautyis rich in character and attention to detail, yet it doesn't have a popcorn-and-soda pop ease. Jeffrey Hatcher's well-observed script, based on his own play, romps a little self-consciously in Eyre's hands--you can tell it would like to be Shakespeare in Loveif it could only relax. The gorgeous Crudup and dewy Danes don't quite click here, but the supporting cast is having a good time going way over-the-top, so if you're hungry for an elaborate historical confection there's enough here to satisfy your taste buds. --Steve Wiecking

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Year:	2004
Release Date:	December 27, 2004
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	M P 333 D
Keywords:	Beauty, General, Stage, Drama
Genre:	Drama