In the theatres of England during the middle of the seventeenth century it was still forbidden for women to play women upon the stage, a dubious decision that had enabled actors such as Ned Kynaston to make all the greatest female roles his own. Arrogant, fickle and self-obsessed Ned's world collapsed when Charles II reversed the ruling and re-introduced women to the theatre. Now it is Ned's former dresser, Maria, who is the toast of the town, and the once furtive love that she now openly offers him he bitterly spurns. Stage Beauty is a sumptuous costume drama, glitteringly performed and far darker in its intelligent observation than the many misplaced comparisons with ‘Shakespeare In Love' would imply.