Romance / History / Comedy /

Score: 68.4%( 3097 votes )

Overview: Young Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," before it's even written. When a lovely noblewoman auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love -- and his play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship progresses, Shakespeare's comedy soon transforms into tragedy.

Cast:

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

Steven Beard
Makepeace

Jim Carter
Ralph Bashford

Rupert Everett
Christopher Marlowe

Martin Clunes
Richard Burbage

Tim McMullan
Frees

Joe Roberts
John Webster

Antony Sher
Dr. Moth

Georgie Glen
Lady in Waiting

Nicholas Boulton
Henry Condell

Barnaby Kay
Nol

Mark Williams
Wabash

Jill Baker
Lady De Lesseps

Nicholas Le Prevost
Sir Robert De Lesseps

Rebecca Charles
Chambermaid

Bob Barrett
George Bryan

Simon Day
Taxi boatman

Bridget McConnell
Lady in Waiting

Sandra Reinton
Rosaline

Jason Round
Tavern Actor

Rupert Farley
Barman

Adam Barker
First Auditionee

Harry Gostelow
Second Auditionee

Alan Cody
Third Auditionee

David Curtiz
John Hemmings

Gregor Truter
James Hemmings

Amber Glossop
Scullery Maid

Robin Davies
Master Plum

Hywel Simons
Servant

Roger Morlidge
James Armitage

Daniel Brocklebank
Sam Gosse

Mark Saban
Augustine Phillips

Timothy Kightley
Edward Pope

Roger Frost
Second Taxi Boatman

Rachel Clarke
First Whore

Lucy Speed
Second Whore

John Ramm
Makepeace's Neighbour

Paul Bigley
Peter

Patrick Barlow
Will Kempe

Steven O'Donnell
Lambert

John Inman
Lady Capulet in Play