George Fenton: Stage Beauty - Main Theme

Richard Eyre directs Billy Crudup as a drag actor struggling to maintain his position as a leading lady in the 17th century theatre world.

Released: 2004
Directed by: Richard Eyre
Cast: Billy Crudup, Clare Danes

The Film: In the seventeenth century when the roles of women in live theatre were played by men, one of the most famous actors was the brazen and bisexual Ned Kynaston. When Charles II tires of the same old faces he decides to allow real women on the stage and overnight Ned becomes a nobody on a one way ticket to the scrap heap.

Composer: George Fenton is one of the most sought-after British contemporary composers in television and film and has written for scores of award-winning films including Gandhi, Dangerous Liaisons and The Madness of King George, as well as the Nine O'Clock News and David Attenborough's Blue Planet, the latter being undoubtedly one of the highlights of his 30 plus year career.