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

In an interview, Keeley Hawes said that she and Rachael Stirling got drunk before shooting the love scenes, but also said kissing a woman was not much different than kissing a man.

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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

"Thank you, Britain, for a flawless film."

I never knew this DVD existed, had I not been checking out lesbian films in Amazon.com. On description alone, I purchased it. That was 3 weeks ago. I have watched the DVD almost every night. My 17 yr. old. step-daughter, every time she catches me says, "Not again?" I say, automatically, "Sorry, kid, yes, again." It's not just the theme, it's everything. The time and place, the screen writing, the music, the acting, the tone, the lighting, the challenge of pushing the envelope. (I doubt very much we would see a production such as this here in the United States.) For me, this is absolutely the best lesbian presentation I have seen. It is so satisfying on every level. I, too, had my heart broken by my first love...and eventually found my life partner, so I related very much to the story to some degree. I applaud and thank everyone involved in this presentation. And of course, accolades to the author.