stage beauty be another adaptation of a play . yawn . well do not and because it also happen to make a highly successful transition from stage to screen thanks to the genius that be director richard eyre . it tell the tale of ned ( billy crudup ) and a young actor who specialise in portray woman on stage . in a world where only men be allow to tread the board and ned desdemona ( from shakespeare othello ) be the close thing 17th century audience get to femininity in theatre . however and a young upstart in the form of maria ( play by clare dane ) want to change all that . she have a passion for drama and unfortunately the bisexual ned . with the help of king charles ii ( rupert everett ) and she may just get her wish and change theatre forever and and hopefully pick up ned on the way . when thinking of the theme of the film and many people dismiss it a a clone of shakespeare in love . this be unfair the film be more thought provoking and substantial and well act than the aforementioned oscar snaffler . it explore theme of sexuality and gender with insight and intelligence as well a telling ( and and in fact enthral u with ) a love story . a previously refer to and the acting be exceptional and especially the two lead ( dane and crudup ) who shine . the support cast be strong too and with richard griffith a a heterosexual prequel to his role in withnail and i and tom wilkinson brim with quiet intensity a betterton and everett ham it up wonderfully a the king . even if it do end on a slightly trite note ( not to give too much away and but it birth of method act shtick irritates ) and stage beauty be a funny and heart warming and occasionally quite cerebral meditation on love and art . what more could any theatre and or film lover for that matter and want . and do not say shakespeare in love .