Young William Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, 'Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter', before it's even written. When lovely noblewoman Viola de Lesseps auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love — and Shakespeare's play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship intensifies, the comedy soon transforms into tragedy.
Acting
Judi Dench's 8-minute Oscar-winning queen
Costume
Sandy Powell's gowns are the real star
Writing
Stoppard's wordplay makes Shakespeare actually fun
Director
John Madden
Joseph Fiennes
Will Shakespeare
Gwyneth Paltrow
Viola De Lesseps
Geoffrey Rush
Philip Henslowe
Tom Wilkinson
Hugh Fennyman
Judi Dench
Queen Elizabeth
Imelda Staunton
Nurse
Colin Firth
Lord Wessex
Ben Affleck
Ned Alleyn
Simon Callow
Tilney
Jim Carter
Ralph Bashford
Rupert Everett
Christopher Marlowe
Martin Clunes
Richard Burbage
Tim McMullan
Frees
Joe Roberts
John Webster
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
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