A female theatre dresser creates a stir and sparks a revolution in seventeenth century London theatre by playing Desdemona in Othello. But what will become of the male actor she once worked for and eventually replaced?
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 4 wins & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Derek Hutchinson | ... |
Stage Manager
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Mark Letheren | ... |
Male Emilia / Dickie
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| Claire Danes | ... |
Maria Hughes
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| Billy Crudup | ... |
Ned Kynaston
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| Tom Wilkinson | ... |
Thomas Betterton
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| Ben Chaplin | ... |
George Villiers II - Duke of Buckingham
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| Hugh Bonneville | ... |
Samuel Pepys
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Jack Kempton | ... |
Call Boy
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| Alice Eve | ... |
Miss Frayne
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| Fenella Woolgar | ... |
Lady Meresvale
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| David Westhead | ... |
Harry
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| Nick Barber | ... |
Nick
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| Stephen Marcus | ... |
Thomas Cockerell
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| Richard Griffiths | ... |
Sir Charles Sedley
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| Zoë Tapper | ... |
Nell Gwynn
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| Rupert Everett | ... |
King Charles II
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| Edward Fox | ... |
Sir Edward Hyde
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Robin Dunn | ... |
Butler
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Isabella Calthorpe | ... |
Lady Jane Bellamy
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Andy Merchant | ... |
1st Thug
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John Street | ... |
2nd Thug
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John Tannen | ... |
3rd Thug
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| Tom Hollander | ... |
Sir Peter Lely
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| Hermione Gulliford | ... |
Mrs. Barry
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| Clare Higgins | ... |
Mistress Revels
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Madeleine Worrall | ... |
Female Emilia
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Greg Bennett | ... |
Courtier (uncredited)
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Gary Bunn | ... |
Dandy (uncredited)
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| Nancy Chandler | ... |
Angelina Hooker (uncredited)
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| David Decio | ... |
Sir Peter Lelys Painter Pupil (uncredited)
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| James Dodd | ... |
Maria's Dresser (uncredited)
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Ray Donn | ... |
Thug (uncredited)
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Joyia Fitch | ... |
Female Bianca (uncredited)
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| Sean Francis George | ... |
Cassio (uncredited)
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Joe Gunn | ... |
Chimney Sweeper (uncredited)
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| Natalie Hallam | ... |
Auditioning Actress (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Richard Eyre | ||
Written by
| Jeffrey Hatcher | ... | (play "Compleat Female Stage Beauty") |
| Jeffrey Hatcher | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Rachel Cohen | ... | executive producer |
| Robert De Niro | ... | producer |
| Michael Dreyer | ... | co-producer |
| Richard Eyre | ... | executive producer |
| Hardy Justice | ... | producer |
| Michael Kuhn | ... | executive producer |
| Amir Jacob Malin | ... | executive producer (as Amir Malin) |
| Malcolm Ritchie | ... | co-executive producer |
| Jane Rosenthal | ... | producer |
| James D. Stern | ... | executive producer |
| Jill Tandy | ... | co-executive producer |
Music by
| George Fenton | ||
Cinematography by
| Andrew Dunn | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Tariq Anwar | ||
Editorial Department
| Paul Ensby | ... | colorist |
| Steve Harrow | ... | post-production consultant |
| Eddy Kolkiewicz | ... | negative cutter |
| Andy Robinson | ... | negative cutter |
| Julian Scott | ... | off-line auto conform: Cine Image |
| Saska Simpson | ... | associate editor |
| John Stanborough | ... | color grader |
Casting By
| Celestia Fox | ||
Production Design by
| Jim Clay | ||
Art Direction by
| Keith Slote | ||
| Jan Spoczynski | ||
Set Decoration by
| Caroline Smith | ||
Costume Design by
| Tim Hatley | ||
Makeup Department
| Roz Abery | ... | makeup artist: dailies |
| Beverley Binda | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Jayne Buxton | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Karen Cohen | ... | hair artist / makeup artist |
| Julie Dartnell | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Nathaniel De'Lineadeus | ... | dental effects designer |
| Amanda Green | ... | hair stylist: daily crowd / makeup artist: daily crowd |
| Helen Johnson | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Chris Lyons | ... | special effects teeth |
| Lesley Smith | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Deborah Taylor | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Lisa Westcott | ... | hair designer / makeup designer |
| Jeanette Redmond | ... | hair stylist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Meg Clark | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Tim Porter | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Tariq Anwar | ... | second unit director |
| Natalie Beer | ... | additional assistant director |
| Martin Harrison | ... | first assistant director |
| Finn McGrath | ... | second assistant director |
| Chris Stoaling | ... | crowd assistant director |
| Charlie Waller | ... | third assistant director |
Art Department
| Joe Alley | ... | carpenter |
| Nicola Barnes | ... | art department researcher |
| Les Benson | ... | dressing props |
| Brian Bovingdon | ... | carpenter |
| Peter Brown | ... | supervising carpenter |
| Paul Carpenter | ... | carpenter |
| Graham Caulfield | ... | drapesman |
| Matt Chisholm | ... | dressing props |
| Nadeem Chughtai | ... | scenic artist |
| Jane Clark | ... | storyboard artist |
| Graham Cole | ... | supervising carpenter |
| Peter Collins | ... | carpenter |
| Amanda Dazely | ... | art department runner (as Amanda Leggatt) |
| Emma de Polnay | ... | stand-by art director (as Emma de Polnay) |
| Gill Ducker | ... | production buyer |
| Michael Finlay | ... | supervising painter |
| Gavin Fitch | ... | assistant art director |
| Robbie Flynt | ... | stand-by stagehand (as Robbie Flint) |
| Oliver Goodier | ... | draughtsperson |
| Alan Grenham | ... | supervising painter |
| Paul Humbles | ... | stand-by props |
| Barnaby Inman | ... | carpenter (as Barney Inman) |
| Jonathan Ivall | ... | painter (as John Ivall) |
| David Jones | ... | chargehand stagehand |
| Jesse Jones | ... | drapesmaster |
| Ronald Leighton | ... | carpenter |
| Kevin Lloyd | ... | stagehand |
| David Lowery | ... | supervising carpenter |
| Cathal MacIlwaine | ... | stand-by carpenter |
| Tom Martin | ... | construction manager (as Thomas Martin) / construction manager |
| Philip McDonald | ... | property master (as Phillip McDonald) |
| James McGee | ... | stagehand |
| John McGee | ... | carpenter |
| Eamon McLoughlin | ... | supervising carpenter |
| Steve Mitchell | ... | scenic artist |
| Peter Mounsey | ... | painter |
| Neil Murrum | ... | dressing props |
| Barry O'Brien | ... | carpenter |
| John O'Brien | ... | hod carpenter |
| Roy O'Brien | ... | trainee carpenter |
| Craig Parratt | ... | carpenter |
| Michael Pelham | ... | painter |
| Jason Phelps | ... | carpenter |
| Khadeeja Rafique | ... | draughtsperson |
| Tom Roberts | ... | stand-by painter (as Tommy Roberts) |
| Zoe Robertson | ... | construction buyer |
| Ray Rose | ... | props storeman |
| Dave Stachini | ... | chargehand stagehand |
| Richard Stachini | ... | stagehand |
| Jeff Sullivan | ... | painter |
| Paul Turner | ... | stand-by props |
| Clive Ward | ... | hod painter |
| Paul Webb | ... | carpenter |
| Stephen Weston | ... | wood machinist |
| Matt Whelan | ... | carpenter (as Matthew Whelan) |
| Derek Whorlow | ... | supervising stagehand |
| Rohan Harris | ... | props (uncredited) |
| Louis Turner | ... | props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Christopher Ackland | ... | sound effects editor |
| Tariq Anwar | ... | dialogue editor |
| Ben Barker | ... | foley editor |
| Peter Bond | ... | dialogue editor |
| David Boulton | ... | adr mixer |
| Gareth Bull | ... | foley mixer |
| Peter Burgis | ... | foley artist |
| Paul Carr | ... | adr mixer |
| Derek Casari | ... | adr engineer |
| Colin Codner | ... | sound maintenance |
| Martin Cunningham | ... | sound assistant |
| Andie Derrick | ... | foley artist (as Andi Derrick) |
| Jim Greenhorn | ... | production sound mixer |
| Nigel Heath | ... | adr recordist |
| Dave Humphries | ... | adr mixer (as David Humphries) |
| Craig Irving | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Mark Kenna | ... | consultant: Dolby sound |
| Mark Lafbery | ... | adr mixer |
| Charleen Richards | ... | adr mixer (as Charleen Richards-Steeves) |
| Martyn Sutton | ... | sound assistant |
| Ian Tapp | ... | foley recordist |
| Andy Walker | ... | dialogue editor |
| Christopher Wilson | ... | re-recording mixer (as Chris Wilson) |
Special Effects by
| Steve Benelisha | ... | assistant special effects technician |
| Stuart Brisdon | ... | special effects supervisor |
| Paul Clancy | ... | special effects senior technician |
| Mark Haddenham | ... | special effects senior technician |
| Dave Keen | ... | special effects senior technician (as David Keen) |
| Matthew Roberts | ... | special effects technician |
Visual Effects by
| Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor | ... | visual effects producer: MPC |
| Nicolas Aithadi | ... | 3D artist: MPC |
| Steve Boag | ... | digital title supervisor: Cine Image |
| Martin Bullard | ... | optical supervisor: titles, Cine Image |
| Michael Elson | ... | head of production: MPC |
| Dave Gurney | ... | optical camera: Cine Image |
| Douglas Larmour | ... | visual effects supervisor: MPC (as Doug Larmour) |
| Michelle Martin | ... | visual effects coordinator |
| Andy Middleton | ... | digital matte painter: MPC |
| Janine Pauke | ... | digital matte painter: MPC |
| Matthew Symonds | ... | digital compositing: titles, Cine Image |
| Simon Wicker | ... | senior digital matte painter: MPC |
Stunts
| Tom Delmar | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Gordon Seed | ... | stunt performer |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Antony Allen | ... | electrician (as Anthony Allen) |
| Sebastian Barraclough | ... | video assist operator (as Seb Barraclough) |
| Ian Barwick | ... | electrician |
| Harry Bowers | ... | clapper loader: "a" camera |
| Sonny Burdis | ... | best boy |
| Ricky Churchouse | ... | electrician |
| Clive Coote | ... | still photographer |
| Benjamin Croce | ... | camera trainee |
| Chris Day | ... | rigging gaffer |
| Warwick Drucker | ... | additional grip |
| Andrew Dunn | ... | camera operator: "a" camera |
| Steve Dunn | ... | rigger |
| Jason Ellis | ... | focus puller: "b" camera |
| Colin Gallagher | ... | electrician |
| Sam Goldie | ... | clapper loader: "b" camera |
| Michael Hayes | ... | electrician |
| Robert Hooker | ... | stand-by rigger: Kingston-Upon-Thames & North Yorkshire (as Rob Hooker) |
| Malcolm Huse | ... | key grip |
| Mark Keeling | ... | electrician |
| Alison Lai | ... | clapper loader: dailies |
| Ronald Meeks | ... | h.o.d. rigger (as Ron Meeks) |
| Mark Milsome | ... | camera operator: "c" camera / focus puller: "a" camera |
| Onx Narang | ... | dimmer operator (as Onkar Narang) |
| Sam Phillips | ... | crane grip |
| Darren Piercy | ... | crane technician |
| Garth Sewell | ... | grip |
| David Smith | ... | gaffer |
| Gerry Vasbenter | ... | camera operator: "b" camera / steadicam operator |
| Andrew Watson | ... | rigging gaffer |
| Peter Wing | ... | practical electrician |
Casting Department
| Vanessa Baker | ... | adr voice casting |
| Brendan Donnison | ... | adr voice casting |
| Alex Johnson | ... | assistant casting director |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Sue Bradbear | ... | costume maker |
| Sue Bradbury | ... | seamstress |
| Anthony Brookman | ... | costume assistant |
| Sally Cairney | ... | costume assistant |
| Vandra Howard | ... | stand-by costumer |
| Jane Leonard | ... | stand-by costumer |
| Fiona McCann | ... | costume buyer |
| Caroline Olcesi | ... | costume assistant |
| David Otzen | ... | stand-by costumer |
| Nadine Powell | ... | costume trainee |
| Jackie Thomas | ... | costume assistant (as Jacky Thomas) |
| Caroline Waterman | ... | assistant costume designer |
| Hilary Watson | ... | wardrobe mistress |
| Robert Worley | ... | costume design assistant |
| Diane Wren | ... | costume assistant (as Dianne Wren) |
| Allison Wyldeck | ... | costume supervisor |
| Celia Yau | ... | costume assistant |
Location Management
| Joseph Jayawardena | ... | location unit manager |
| Lew Morgan | ... | location security |
| Sue Quinn | ... | location manager |
| Aurelia Thomas | ... | assistant location manager |
Music Department
| Geoff Alexander | ... | orchestrator (as Geoffrey Alexander) |
| Jonathan Allen | ... | music recording engineer: Abbey Road Studios |
| Mark Berrow | ... | musician: violin |
| Sophie Cornet | ... | music editor |
| Isobel Griffiths | ... | musicians contractor |
| Nicole Jacob | ... | music coordinator |
| Skaila Kanga | ... | musician: harp (uncredited) |
| David Lawson | ... | music programmer |
| Everton Nelson | ... | musician: violin |
| Steve Price | ... | music recording engineer: Angel recording Studios |
| Bill Silcock | ... | music preparation |
| Gavyn Wright | ... | orchestra leader |
| Warren Zielinski | ... | musician: violin |
| Rachel Bolt | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Bruce White | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Karen Savage | ... | script supervisor (as Karen Jones) |
Transportation Department
| Graham Dolloery | ... | driver: minibus (as Graham Dollery) |
| Georg Grohmann | ... | driver: Mr. Wilkinson (as George Grohman) |
| Lee Isgar | ... | unit driver |
| Steve Mitchard | ... | driver: Mr. Eyre |
| Steve Rogers | ... | unit driver |
| Simon Saunders | ... | unit driver |
| David Speirs | ... | driver: Mr. Crudup |
| Darren Leen | ... | driver: Claire Danes (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Alexandra Arlango | ... | assistant: Michael Kuhn |
| Geraldine Atlee | ... | representative: Qwerty Films |
| Philip Ball | ... | utility stand-in |
| Michael Barnes | ... | financial legal services |
| Alan M. Brunswick | ... | legal counsel: US, Manatt Phelps & Phillips (as Alan Brunswick) |
| Kofi Burke | ... | production accountant: Qwerty Films |
| Richards Butler | ... | legal services |
| Kathryn Craig | ... | head of legal and business affairs: Qwerty Films |
| Chris Cullum | ... | health and safety officer |
| Matt Curtis | ... | title designer |
| Steve Dent | ... | carriages |
| Thomas Doran | ... | stand-in: Mr. Crudup |
| Stephen Earner | ... | assistant production accountant |
| John Ensby | ... | laboratory contact |
| Kerrie Gant | ... | client liaison: Cine Image |
| Heidi Gower | ... | floor runner |
| Sally Grace | ... | additional dialect coach |
| Peter D. Graves | ... | executive marketing consultant |
| Andrew Hildebrand | ... | representative: Qwerty Films |
| Ruth Hodgson | ... | completion guarantor: Film Finances |
| Kevin Kolovich | ... | accounting assistant |
| Lisa Koven | ... | legal counsel: US, Manatt Phelps & Phillips |
| David Lawson | ... | programmer |
| Gabby Le Rasle | ... | assistant production coordinator |
| Claire Lundberg | ... | assistant: Mr. Justice |
| Scarlett Mackmin | ... | choreographer |
| Charles McDonald | ... | unit publicist: McDonald & Rutter |
| Christos Michaels | ... | business & legal affairs: Icon Entertainment International |
| Tory Michaels | ... | legal services |
| Liz Miller | ... | unit publicist: McDonald & Rutter |
| Sheila Fraser Milne | ... | completion guarantor: Film Finances |
| Sarah Nuttall | ... | representative: Qwerty Films |
| Kevin O'Shea | ... | insurance services: AON/Albert G. Ruben |
| Caroline Oxley-McLeod | ... | unit nurse: Lake District (as Caroline Oxley-Mcleod) |
| Richard Philipps | ... | legal services |
| Pete Price | ... | production assistant |
| Jurgen Proschinger | ... | finance manager: Qwerty Films |
| Simon Sanderson | ... | production runner |
| George Sayer | ... | stand-in: Ms. Danes (as Georgiana Sayer) |
| Joan Schneider | ... | production coordinator |
| James Shirras | ... | completion guarantor: Film Finances |
| Sally Jo Sousa | ... | trainer: Spaniel (as Sally Sousa) |
| Katharine Tidy | ... | home economist |
| Dianne Twiddy | ... | production accountant |
| Joan Washington | ... | dialect coach |
| Colleen Woodcock | ... | representative: Qwerty Films |
| Mark Woolley | ... | chief financial officer: Qwerty Films |
| Tonia Wright | ... | assistant: Michael Dreyer and Richard Eyre |
| Andrew Golov | ... | studio executive (uncredited) |
| Sally Jo Sousa | ... | animal coordinator (uncredited) |
| Cathy Ziehl | ... | studio coordinator (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Fabrizio Caracciolo | ... | thanks |
| Jane Hawley | ... | special thanks |
| Ed Herendeen | ... | special thanks |
| Jamie Laurenson | ... | special thanks |
| Marc Masterson | ... | special thanks |
| Jeffrey Morby | ... | special thanks |
| Tracey Scoffield | ... | special thanks |
| Nicholas Wright | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
- Lionsgate (presents)
- Qwerty Films
- Tribeca Productions
- N1 European Film Produktions GmbH & Co. KG (in association with)
- BBC Film (in association with)
Distributors
- A-Film Distribution (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Central Partnership (2004) (Russia) (theatrical)
- Dendy Films (2004) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Filmax (2005) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Haut et Court (2005) (France) (theatrical)
- Lionsgate (2004) (United States) (theatrical)
- Mikado Film (2005) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Momentum Pictures (2004) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Shaw Organisation (2005) (Singapore) (theatrical)
- A-Film Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2004) (United Kingdom) (tv) (BBC2)
- California Home Vídeo (2006) (Brazil) (DVD)
- California Home Vídeo (2006) (Brazil) (VHS)
- Capelight Pictures (2024) (Germany) (video) (Stream)
- Divisa Home Video (2012) (Spain) (DVD)
- Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment (2005) (Canada) (DVD)
- Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment (2005) (United States) (DVD)
- RTL Entertainment (2010) (Netherlands) (tv) (RTL8)
- Senator Home Entertainment (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
- Universum Film (UFA) (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
Special Effects
- Moving Picture Company (MPC) (digital visual effects)
- Cine Image Film Opticals (digital titles & opticals)
Other Companies
- Shepperton Studios (movie studio)
- 20th Century Fox Studios (adr recording)
- AFM Lighting (lighting)
- AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services (insurance services)
- Abbey Road Studios (music recorded at)
- Angel Recording Studios (music recorded at)
- Angels & Bermans (costumes)
- Anvil Post Production (foley recording)
- Audiolink Radio Communications (walkie talkies/mobiles)
- Birds & Animals UK (animal trainers)
- Casting Collective (extras casting)
- Cine Image Film Opticals (digital titles & opticals)
- Cosprop (costumes)
- Costumi d'Arte (costumes)
- Dolby Digital (in selected theatres)
- Fayre Do's (catering)
- Film Finances (completion guarantor)
- Film Flow (facilities vehicles)
- Fintage CAM (collection account management)
- GP11 (costumes)
- Gearbox Sound and Vision (additional ProTools systems supplied by)
- Goldcrest Post Production London (ADR Facility)
- Goldcrest Post Production London (adr recording)
- Hackenbacker Sound (adr recording)
- Kodak (film stock)
- Kodak (motion picture film)
- L.C.P. di Pompei (costumes)
- Lightworks (edited on)
- Lions Gate Records (soundtrack released by)
- London Editing Machines Ltd. (editing equipment)
- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips (legal counsel: US)
- McDonald and Rutter (unit publicity)
- National Theatre (costumes)
- Panavision (filmed with: cameras, lenses and grip equipment)
- Panavision (cameras and lenses)
- Pinewood Studios (stills processing)
- Rancati (costumes)
- Reel Skill Film Cutting (negative cutting)
- Royal Shakespeare Company (costumes)
- Sands Films (costumes)
- Sapex Scripts (post-production scripts)
- Sartoria Farani S.t.L. (costumes)
- Sastreria Cornejo (costumes)
- Sound One Corporation (adr recording)
- Technicolor (film lab)
- Technicolor (telecine rushes facilities)
- The International Stunt Company (stunt services and rentals)
- The London Session Orchestra (music performed by)
- Tirelli Costumi (costumes)
- Twickenham Film Studios (adr recording)
- Twickenham Film Studios (sound re-recording)
- Visual Icon (exclusive clip and still licensing)
- West Drayton (telecine rushes facilities)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Based in the 1660's of London's theaters, this film is about the rules of gender roles in theatre production, and means to change them for everyone's benefit. Ned Kynaston is the assumedly gay cross-dressing actor who has been playing female parts in plays for years, particularly Desdemona in Othello, he also has a close relationship with a member of the Royal Court, the Duke of Buckingham. One day however, the rules of only men playing women could change when aspiring actress Maria auditions as Kynaston's praised role, Desdemona, and soon enough, King Charles II decides to make the law that all female roles should be played only by women. Maria becomes a star, while Ned finds himself out of work. But after a while, Ned finds it in his nature to forgive Maria's aspiration, they may even fall in love, and Charles may proclaim women will be played by either gender. Written by Jackson Booth-Millard |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | She was the first of her kind. He was the last of his. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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| Filming Locations |
Box Office
| Opening Weekend United Kingdom | GBP128,035, 05 Sep 2004 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Claire Danes and Billy Crudup became a couple after the filming of this movie. Crudup left his long-time girlfriend Mary-Louise Parker for Danes. See more » |
| Goofs | "Sex" is used by characters as shorthand for sexual intercourse, a meaning the word didn't have until the 20th century. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Shall We Dance?/Taxi/Raise Your Voice/Stage Beauty (2004). See more » |
| Quotes |
King Charles II:
Why shouldn't we have women on stage? After all, the French have been doing it for years. Sir Edward Hyde: Whenever we're about to do something truly horrible, we always say that the French have been doing it for years. See more » |