Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Stage Beauty
2004
**½
Director: Richard Eyre
Cast: Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Tom Wilkinson, Rupert Everett

Until Charles II changed the law in the 17th century, all theatre roles, including the female ones, were performed by men. That is the setting for this mildly entertaining curiosity piece. The film attempts to repeat the magic of Shakespeare in Love by mixing fact and fiction, but it lacks both bite and humour. Jeffrey Hatcher adapted his own play Compleat Female Stage Beauty.