Plot
Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup) is one of the leading actors of his day, famed for his portrayal of female characters, particularly Desdemona in Othello. His loyal dresser, Maria (Claire Danes), longs to perform on stage but is forbidden to do so by a law enacted by the Puritans prior to the return of the House of Stuart to the throne. She fulfills her desire by appearing in plays presented in a local tavern under the name Margaret Hughes. Word of her performances spread and the novelty of a woman on stage draws the attention of Sir Charles Sedley (Richard Griffiths), who offers to be her patron, and eventually the attention of King Charles II (Rupert Everett) himself.
Kynaston's rant against allowing women on stage is overheard by Nell Gwynn (Zoe Tapper), an aspiring actress and Charles II's mistress, and she literally seduces Charles into banning men from playing female roles. As a result, Kynaston loses his lover, George Villiers (Ben Chaplin), the Duke of Buckingham, and the acceptance of London society. Unable to shake the feminine characteristics he has perfected over the years, he is reduced to performing bawdy songs in drag in music halls, while Maria's career thrives, though her abilities leave much to be desired, as she bases everything she does on Kynaston's performances.
When Maria is called upon to portray Desdemona for the king, she panics and her friends implore Kynaston to coach her. Not only does he agree, but he insists on replacing company head Thomas Betterton in the role of the titular protagonist. In doing so, he discovers his ability to portray a male character, while Maria evolves from an actress of middling talent to an acclaimed theatrical star.
Read more about this topic: Stage Beauty
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—John Dryden (1631–1700)