Tipping the Velvet

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Tipping the Velvet ★★½ 2002

Provocative miniseries based on the Sarah Waters novel. Set in the 1890s, it takes a look at the unconventional life of male impersonator and music hall star Nan Astley (Stirling), who takes up her profession after becoming infatuated with crossdressing performer Kitty Butler (Hawes). Hired as Kitty's assistant, Nan eventually reveals her love and the duo become partners on and off the London stage. But Nan's life takes a turn for the dark side when she turns to prostitution, gets involved with dominating aristocrat, Diana (Chancellor), and seeks help from potential new love, Florence (May). 180m/C DVD . GB Rachael Stirling, Keeley Hawes, Anna Chancellor, Jodhi May, Hugh Bonneville, Alexei Sayle, John Bowe, Sally Hawkins; D: Geoffrey Sax; W: Andrew Davies; C: Cinders Forshaw; M: Adrian Johnston. TV