Stage Beauty is a love story - sexy, witty and full of surprises. Directed by Richard Eyre, this 2004 film was featured at the Sunshine Coast Film Society's gala event on Tuesday night.
The film stars Billy Crudup as a 17th century actor who plays female roles, as was the custom of the time. He is the toast of London until a woman, his dresser, played by Claire Danes, decides she can perform the role of a woman better than a man. She is helped in her career by a sympathetic king, Charles II, who decrees that women should be allowed on stage.
Who plays what role and what passions are steaming behind the footlights are all part of this multi-layered film. It's also a film about the love of acting. As such, it was entirely the right choice for the Film Society's tribute to the world of theatre during the annual Showcase of the Performing Arts at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. "The reason for holding this benefit is because we appreciate this theatre," says Film Society president Judith Hammill who organized the fundraiser. She remembered her first weeks in Gibsons when she thoroughly enjoyed a stage show, Nunsense, at the same theatre and was delighted by the venue. One of the feature performers in that show, Nest Lewis, was on hand Tuesday evening to accept the funds raised for ongoing operation of the theatre.
