Genre: Drama, Gay/Lesbian, Period Piece, Racy
Tagline: She was the first of her kind. He was the last of his.
Plot: In 17th century London, NED KYNASTON is revered for his portrayal of the great heroines of the English stage. He’s currently bringing down the house as Desdemona in the Betterton Theatre production of Othello. Ned’s adoring dresser, MARIA, watches faithfully from the wings mouthing his every word, but his fellow actors are infuriated by Ned’s death scene - the thunderous applause from his fans drowns out their final lines. In the post-performance bustle of Ned’s dressing room, theater owner THOMAS BETTERTON, who plays Othello, complains to the diarist SAMUEL PEPYS about Ned’s tendency to devour the spotlight. Business is good thanks to Ned, but Betterton is troubled by a remark from the King. CHARLES II has lately been hoping for something new and unexpected on the stage – he wants surprises and more comedy. Betterton doubts that Othello can be played for laughs... Ned, meanwhile, receives visitors in his dressing room as Maria attends to his every need. He accepts an invitation to ride through Hyde Park with two GENTLE LADIES, who are titillated by his celebrity and his cross-dressing. In a darkened carriage, they coax Ned into letting them see what’s hidden beneath his petticoats. The ladies’ curiosity satisfied, the party spills out of the coach outside the theater
More Plot Descriptions
 Discussion forum for this movie
|
| |
![]()  Submit a trailer link
|
| Written by |
Jeffrey Hatcher
Casanova, Columbo: Ashes to Ashes, Murder at the Cannes Film Festival |
|
| Cast |
Billy Crudup
Almost Famous, Big Fish, Mission: Impossible III |
 | Claire Danes
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Romeo + Juliet, The Hours |
 | Rupert Everett
Shrek 2, My Best Friend's Wedding, A Midsummer Night's Dream |
 | Tom Wilkinson
Batman Begins, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Shakespeare in Love |
 | Richard Griffiths
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban |
 | Ben Chaplin
The Thin Red Line, The Remains of the Day, Murder by Numbers |
 | Edward Fox
Lost in Space, Gandhi, Never Say Never Again |
 | |
[more] |
|
|
In Theaters
