Tipping the Velvet 

The story of Nan Astley who falls in love with three different women on her journey to stardom and happiness in 1887 Victorian England.

Stars:

Rachael Stirling, Keeley Hawes, Anna Chancellor

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Rachael Stirling	...	Nan Astley 3 episodes, 2002
Keeley Hawes	...	Kitty Butler 3 episodes, 2002
Anna Chancellor	...	Diana Lethaby 2 episodes, 2002
Jodhi May	...	Florence Banner 2 episodes, 2002
Alexei Sayle	...	Charles Frobisher 2 episodes, 2002
John Bowe	...	Walter Bliss 2 episodes, 2002
Sally Hawkins	...	Zena Blake 2 episodes, 2002
Di Botcher	...	Woman with Cigar 2 episodes, 2002
Carl Chase	...	Corder 2 episodes, 2002
Janet Henfrey	...	Mrs. Jex 2 episodes, 2002
Daniel Mays	...	Jimmy Burns 2 episodes, 2002
Bernice Stegers	...	Mrs. Denby 2 episodes, 2002
Sara Stockbridge	...	Dickie 2 episodes, 2002
Susie Valerio	...	Singer 2 episodes, 2002

Storyline

Dramatised from Sarah Waters' acclaimed debut novel, "Tipping the Velvet" tells the story of Nancy Astley (Rachael Stirling), a young girl who works as cook and waitress in her Father's seaside restaurant - that is until she witnesses the extraordinary performance of a new-to-town male impersonator - Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes) - and begins to undergo a complete life transformation. Suddenly whipped up - and quickly flung down - by her love affair with Kitty, she experiences both euphoria and deep disillusion as she embarks on a seven-year journey of self-discovery - finally realizing that a life of sensation just isn't enough.

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Plot Keywords:

lgbt | lgbtq | male impersonator | music hall | 1890s | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

BBCi [UK]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Tipping the Velvet

Filming Locations:

Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sally Head Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

177 min (3 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

As Nan Astley explains to Florence Banner in the final episode, "Tipping the Velvet" was a Victorian euphemism for cunnilingus.

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Goofs

The roses Kitty gives out in her act are obviously artificial. But later when Nan shows Kitty she kept the rose she received from her, the rose is wilted.

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Quotes

Florence Banner: [after overhearing a prostitute in the women's bar talk about an easy and enjoyable job, Florence looks truly puzzled] Tipping the velvet? Why what ever can THAT be?
Nancy Nan Astley: [rather surprised at the question] You don't know?
Florence Banner: [Smiling] Well it sounds like something to do with dress making or millinary, but it can't be. No one would pay to watch that.
Nancy Nan Astley: [Laughing] No. It isn't.
Florence Banner: Well what then?
Florence Banner: [Nan has showed Florence the tip of her tongue, then pointedly nodded and looked at Florence's lap] Oh!
[...]

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Connections

Featured in The Story of the Costume Drama: Affairs of the Heart (2008)

User Reviews

Surprising

It is surprising that a production like this gets made these days, especially for television. Considering the strong sexual themes and explicit lovemaking scenes, not to mention lesbianism, this has been given superb treatment and direction.

The sets and costumes are flawless, the direction is stylish and the characters are likeable. There is a fair amount of humor but it has surprisingly dark interludes. The protagonist is really a tragic figure, but not devoid of happiness. Also, this production avoids the mistake most films/shows make when dealing with homosexuality/lesbianism. The characters are very human. It seems that to allow people to be comfortable with watching gays and lesbians on TV and movies most shows fill it full of cliches and make the characters obsessed with being gay. Not so with this. In Tipping the Velvet, the protagonist is hardly aware of what being lesbian means!

The BBC have made some wonderful productions in the past, and this adventurous period piece only confirms their standard of excellence on all fronts.