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.
![]() |
Geoffrey Rush | Philip Henslowe |
![]() |
Tom Wilkinson | Hugh Fennyman |
![]() |
Steven O'Donnell | Lambert |
![]() |
Tim McMullen | Frees |
![]() |
Joseph Fiennes | Will Shakespeare |
![]() |
Steven Beard | Makepeace / the Preacher |
![]() |
Antony Sher | Dr Moth |
![]() |
Patrick Barlow | Will Kempe |
![]() |
Martin Clunes | Richard Burbage |
![]() |
Sandra Reinton | Rosaline |
![]() |
Simon Callow | Tilney / Master of the Revels |
![]() |
Judi Dench | Queen Elizabeth |
![]() |
Bridget McConnell | Lady in Waiting |
![]() |
Georgie Glen | Lady in Waiting |
![]() |
Nicholas Boulton | Henry Condell |
![]() |
Gwyneth Paltrow | Viola De Lesseps |
![]() |
Imelda Staunton | Nurse |
![]() |
Colin Firth | Lord Wessex |
![]() |
Desmond McNamara | Crier |
![]() |
Barnaby Kay | Nol |
![]() |
Jim Carter | Ralph Bashford |
![]() |
Paul Bigley | Peter / the Stage Manager |
![]() |
Jason Round | Actor in Tavern |
![]() |
Rupert Farley | Barman |
![]() |
Adam Barker | First Auditionee |
Director | John Madden |
![]() |
Writer | Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard | |
Producer | Linda Bruce, Mark Cooper, Donna Gigliotti, Julie Goldstein, Marc Norman, David Parfitt, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Zwick | |
Musician | Stephen Warbeck | |
Photography | Richard Greatrex |