This filmed treatment of the original Stratford Festival production of Timothy Findley's Governor General Award-winning play is a lavish treat for the eyes and the ears. William Shakespeare and his company of actors are brought together with the formidable Queen Elizabeth I in a remarkable encounter on the night of April 22, 1616, hours before the execution of Elizabeth's former lover Essex. Through the course of the evening, actor Ned Lowenscroft, famous for his female roles in Shakespeares' plays, very touchingly teaches the Queen to be more of a woman, while the Queen helps Ned be more of a man. Part history lesson, part theatrical insight, the play is a beautifully crafted Shakespeare-like work with poignant reflections on grief, love, friendship, and art. Compelling performances are delivered by Diane D'Aquila as Queen Elizabeth, Peter Hutt as Shakespeare and Brent Carver as Ned Lowenscroft.
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Cast
21 people
Brent Carver
Ned Lowenscroft
Known for
Lilies
Millennium
Peter Hutt
Will Shakespeare
Also in
Your Ticket Is No Longer Valid
The Taming of the Shrew
George Anthony
Timothy Findley
Also in
The Wednesday Play
Festival
Barbara Willis Sweete
Diane D'Aquila
Elizabeth Rex
Known for
The Last Don
Little Bear
Kate Melville
Niv Fichman
Known for
Blindness
Daniel Iron
Known for
Last Night
Scott Wentworth
Jack Edmund
Jennifer Jonas
Bernard Hopkins
Lord Cecil
Martha Henry Director · Timothy Findley Writer
First release April 4, 2004 · Produced in Canada · Production Rhombus Media
Production
Stratford Festival
Production
Rhombus Media
Production · Distribution
Canada
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Release dates
Canada · April 4, 2004
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
United Kingdom
May 6, 2004 · Commonwealth Film Festival
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