Stage Beauty

In the 17th century, women are forbidden from performing on stage and the greatest leading "lady" of the time is Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup), who dazzles audiences as Desdemona in "Othello." When Ned is beaten up by thugs, however, his dresser Maria (Claire Danes) takes the stage in his place, resulting in the king's repeal of the prohibition against women in theater. So ends Ned's career and begins Maria's - but she needs his tutelage to become half the actress he was. Tom Wilkinson, Rupert Everett and Ben Chaplin co-star in this period drama.