Tipping the Velvet

Plot synopsis:
Nancy "Nan" Astley is a sheltered 18-year-old living with her working-class family and helping in their oyster restaurant in Whitstable, Kent. She becomes instantly and desperately enamoured with a "masher", or male impersonator, named Kitty Butler, who performs for a season at the local theatre. They begin a friendship that grows when, after Kitty finds an opportunity to perform in London for better exposure, she asks Nan to join her. Nan enthusiastically agrees and leaves her family to act as Kitty's dresser while she performs. Although Kitty and Nan acknowledge their relationship to be sisterly, Nan continues to love Kitty until a jealous fight forces Kitty to admit she feels the same, although she insists that they keep their relationship secret. Simultaneously, Kitty's manager Walter decides that Kitty needs a performing partner to reach true success, and suggests Nan for the role. Nan is initially horrified by the idea, but takes to it. The duo become quite famous until Nan realises she is homesick after being gone from her family for more than a year. Her return home is underwhelming, so she returns to London early to find Kitty in bed with Walter. They announce that the act is finished and they are to be married.
Astonished and deeply bruised by the discovery, Nan wanders the streets of London, finally holing herself in a filthy boarding house for weeks in a state of madness until her funds run out. After spying the male costumes she took as her only memory of her time with Kitty, Nan begins to walk the streets of London as a man and easily passes. She is solicited by a man for sex and begins renting, but dressed only as a man for male clients, never letting them know she is a woman. She meets a socialist activist named Florence who lives near the boarding house, but before she can get to know her, Nan is hired by a wealthy widow with licentious tastes named Diana. Although realising—and initially enjoying—that she is an object to Diana and her friends, Nan stays with her for over a year as "Neville", dressed in the finest men's clothes Diana can afford. The relationship erodes, however, and Diana throws Nan into the streets.
Nan stumbles through London trying to find Florence, which she eventually does; Florence is now melancholy, however, with a child. Nan stays with Florence and her brother Ralph, working as their housekeeper. Nan and Florence grow closer during the year they live together, and Nan learns that the previous boarder with Florence and Ralph had a child and died shortly after giving birth. Florence was deeply in love with the boarder but her affections were not returned. During an outing to a women's pub, Nan is recognised by former fans, to Florence's astonishment, and Nan divulges her own spotty past to Florence. Cautiously, they begin a love affair. Putting her theatrical skills to use, Nan assists Ralph in preparing a speech at an upcoming socialist rally. At the event Nan jumps onstage to help Ralph when he falters, and is noticed once more by Kitty, who asks her to come back so they can continue their affair in secret. Realising how much shame Kitty continues to feel, how much of herself was compromised during their affair, and that her truest happiness is where she is now, Nan turns Kitty away and joins Florence.

Tags: romantic, queer, flashback

Review:
More Than Gay. Labeling this film a "lesbian love story" is about as accurate as calling Pride & Prejudice a "straight love story." There's just so much more to it than that.Yes, the main character is a lesbian, but her story is classic bildungsroman, a journey from childhood to adulthood, from sexual innocence into maturity, from personal blindness to self- discovery.
There is a stylistic element of camp to the film's direction, but it is not a hindrance; rather it serves to underscore the staged and dramatic parts of the main character's life.Those who know Anna Chancellor from the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice will certainly be amazed with her here.
Rachael Stirling is stellar as the main character Nan, and Keeley Hawes is all wide-eyed goodness as her lover Kitty Butler.
This wonderful 3 part BBC production is one of the sweetest love stories that I have seen in a while.
The actresses display a very high level of talent, especially Rachael Stirling as Nan Astley.
I guess this is a by-product of a good adaptation from a well written novel.A truly remarkable well paced drama that picks up speed quickly after a couple of boring (but necessary) scenes in the beginning.My vote: 9/10.
Considering the strong sexual themes and explicit lovemaking scenes, not to mention lesbianism, this has been given superb treatment and direction.The sets and costumes are flawless, the direction is stylish and the characters are likeable.
It seems that to allow people to be comfortable with watching gays and lesbians on TV and movies most shows fill it full of cliches and make the characters obsessed with being gay.
In Tipping the Velvet, the protagonist is hardly aware of what being lesbian means!The BBC have made some wonderful productions in the past, and this adventurous period piece only confirms their standard of excellence on all fronts..
But also in the music (the melodies are so sweet), the photography (all this wine like and golden tones for indoor scenes), the so fine decoration and set design (theatres and back stages), those little sounds added (hoses running, opera voices ..), those visual metaphors (burning fondue for Kitty's jealousy, empty oyster shells swirling in the waves as Nan meets life ..) etc..
Anna Chancellor's Diana still scares me ;) What to say about magnetic Kitty (whoah Keeley!) and also Jhodi May builds a so very nice good home-loving girl.
The ones cast for this production, however, were not at all disappointing - in fact, after I got used to Rachael Stirling as Nan, I think Nina Gold did a damn fine job in the casting department.
(Can Keeley Hawes be more delicious?!)The BBC has done it again: this is a wonderful production of a very good book, and they have done it up in style.
I think Andrew Davies did an admirable job of taking a magnificent book which emulated the pace and styling of a Victorian novel and turning it into a moving and entertaining film.
But, still, it's often hard to read the original material after a film gives away the best parts.I realize that Davies is a very good adapter, but I wish the producers had chosen a woman to write the screenplay.
Davies, as he admits in the commentary that accompanies the film on DVD, wanted particularly to emphasis the more scatological bits in the book.
And I preferred way the novel let Nan "come of age" than the way Davies chose.One quick comment about the four actors who essay the primary roles.
I thought they were all terrific.I recommend that any lesbian and anyone who loves good fiction, add BOTH the book and the DVD of TIPPING THE VELVET to their bookshelves..
This is heresy.I would really like to dispel all doubt by first congratulating Andrew Davies on enabling Geoffrey Sax to create this wonderful dramatization of Sarah Waters' novel by cushioning him with such a fantastic script.
But I fear I must now change tack.I saw one of the premiere TV guides here in the UK (which shall remain nameless) relentlessly describing Tipping the Velvet as a "lesbian love story".
It is a story about a girl (Rachael Stirling) who goes from riches to rags and from rags to riches, with her first love (Keeley Hawes) popping in and out of her life.
Rachael Stirling and Keeley Hawes was the best choice for the casting in these two roles, and they played them extremely well..
I'm seriously thinking of watching it again soon since I find it spiritually uplifting.It is a very tender romantic drama with such beautiful performances, sets, costumes, music and scenes that it has a resonance which places it almost in a league of its own among mini series.Some others have commented on the difficulties of living as a lesbian in Britain in the 1890s.
The direction oozes class, particularly in the scenes of Nan and Kitty's stage rehearsals, the music has a haunting charm, and the acting is mostly glorious (Alexei Sayle was clearly only in it to show how good the rest of the cast was),.
Some fans of the novel may be put out by the various changes incharacter (particularly that of Jodhi May's character, Florence), butthe changes all work toward the greater good of this teleplay andprovide an overall high quality entertainment value..
The lead character is a lesbian, but it's still worth watching if that's not your thing.Rachael Stirling is incredible in a lead role that stretches her into a dazzling assortment of emotions and situations, some of a bizarre nature.
It's entirely it's own beastpart comedy, historical drama, erotica, coming-of-age tale, musical and more.Gotta praise the BBC for making this story.
This is the unforgettable portrait of an unconventional young girl named Nan who works as a naive oyster girl,until she discovers her repressed homosexuality when she falls in love with a successful woman named Kitty who dresses as a male for her stage profession.
When that ends badly, Nan is on the streets again where she recalls a young woman named Florence; a good-hearted socialist who had the true potential of being a wonderful partner.
Andrew Davies work is top notch - I've not read the Sarah Water's novel but I can imagine he's done it real justice.
The fact is, it portays the lesbian side of society in the 1800s - a time when most thought it was old men and rent boys - well it was - lesbianism took place mainly behind closed and often respectable doors.You can also look at Tipping The Velvet as a 'love story' - it actually is - as well as 'self discovery' that many gay/bi and straight people go through and comments on this occur and repeat all the time.If you've not seen it yet - either repeated on TV or on DVD - get it - you'll be in for a treat - and even the production and filming of it is perfect.
The Victorian scene was beautifully created but most of all I fell in love with the main character of Nan Astley.
Growing up not understanding and then discovering yourself thru trial and tribulation is more like it.The characters are full and vibrant and the story has enough fun thrown in thru the theater performances to keep anyone interested.Rachael Stirling as "Nan" goes thru so many tries at finding the love she desires only to find it was the one person she was scared to reveal all too, and ran out on.
I have to say it is a sign that this film appeals to all ages if somebody by right should be shielding themselves away from anything remotely homosexual absolutely loves this thing.I thought every last bit of this film was amazing and the casting was superb, but I have to say Anna Chancellor...where have YOU been all my life.Having previously seen Anna in several other things I was completely blown away by how magnificent she was.Diana Letherby may not be the most lovable of the characters but she could certainly take me home if she fancied....
The mini-series is remarkably true to the book, even with some changes and trimmings like Florence being not as forthright as in the book and the Kitty's crisis after she's heckled during a performance being (somewhat unwisely) skipped, but they don't hinder things at all.
Tipping the Velvet(2002) stands fabulously on its own and has so much to recommend, you don't even need to read the book to love this mini-series.
You certainly do fully believe the relationships and chemistry between the characters(like with Nan and Kitty rehearsing together), and the gender politics explored here and in the book are truthful and subtle.
Rachael Stirling gives a stunningly powerful performance, that covers all sensualities and nuanced emotions of Nan's character and Keeley Hawes has never been more intoxicating than here.
I think many people will enjoy it.I have read and seen quite a few lesbian stories over the years and am happy to say they are getting better and better in how they are presented.They tend to have a more positive feel for the life style and feeling's of gay women.Its nice to see two women find themselves and be as happy as others in this society.I think it is apparent that more and more movies with this theme will grace our theaters and TV screens.Many producers and directors are realizing that Lesbians live very full and wholesome lives and that we have wonderful stories that should and can be seen by individuals as well as families without hesitation..
The historical atmosphere, the young girl looking for love, the amazing background of music hall and the voyage into the lesbian world of London early twentieth century make this an exceptional movie.
Andrew Davies as the scriptwriter excels himself as he writes this lesbian love story with such sensitivity.
This is one of the best lesbian films i have ever seen!
Rachael Stirling is an amazing actress, i have never seen her other works but her portrayal of Nan made me connect with her feeling her heartache and pains and love.
We need more lesbian films that portrays real love and hurts, like this one.
They play lesbian male impersonators Kitty and Nan. The acting is better than average and the love scenes are quite tender.
Keeley Hawkes is seductive and  charismatic as Nan Astley; while Rachael Stirling portrays Kitty Butler with complete  mastery of the character.
High BBC period drama production values, explicit lesbian sex scenes, wickedly funny tongue-in-cheek humor, with wonderful music and songs, What's not to love?
Rachel Stirling really grows on you as Nan. I loved how her character developed, the many series of ups and downs she went through, and her final song onstage having fought her way back to earn such a moment.
* Florence watching Nan perform with tears of joy...* all the references to oysters throughout the film..:)I wish I can see it again for the first time..
The characters of Nan and and Kitty were superbly portrayed by Rachael Stirling and Kelley Hawes respectively.
I certainly didn't.One day she sees the performance of a male impersonator, Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes) and falls madly in love with her.
The two women become friends, and Nan accompanies Kitty as her dresser, never letting on that she's in love with her.
Nancy continues her journey of self- knowledge, dressing as a boy and servicing men in alleys, becoming the kept boy of a wealthy lesbian, meeting a young woman, Flo, and finding her so honest and sweet that she can't bear to tell her what she really does.I wouldn't call this a lesbian love story, although that was done I suppose to get people watching.
Stirling sings better, and the two, when performing on stage together, do a very good act.
Solid BBC production about lesbian love in Victorian England.
The basic plot is a coming-of-age story for the protagonist, Nan Astley, played well by Rachael Stirling.
Nan expects this too.Everything changes when Nan meets Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes) a beautiful and talented performer who dresses in men's clothes and captures the hearts of her audience.
The remainder of the film follows Nan to London and through her ups (sort of) and her downs (horrible) as a lesbian and sometimes male impersonator.
Both Stirling and Hawes are wonderful, and their acting carries the film along.It's always sad to be reminded of how difficult life can be for someone who doesn't fit society's mold for what is normal.
The sisterhood turns into a lesbian affair as Nan joins Kitty on stage.
She finds a colder Florence with a baby living with her brother Ralph Banner (Hugh Bonneville).The first part sets it up as a lesbian love story.
This film is a rare treat, but neither for its lesbian love story, nor for its use of a dildo onscreen, instead for the fact that I think the film was better than the book.The only other time I felt that was watching "Jesus' Son." Whereas that film really was only seeded by its seedy book, this here does seem to be quite faithful to Ms. Water's novel.
I should say, I read the book first which makes viewing the film a different experience of course.The book spent a fair amount of time in Nan's head, and quite plainly it wasn't that interesting there.
Her inner conflicts did help to underscore what must have been an ordeal to be a lesbian in Victorian times (some of the reactions to this film show its no pickle these days still sadly.) Nan's pining for Kitty goes on and on over many pages, or maybe I'm just being too much of a guy and rushing through the foreplay.Anyways the film is much more trim, and avoids lame puns like that one (and plenty more in the book, sheesh for a stretch every 10 pages used the word "queer").
The foreshadowing of Nan and Flo meeting before and after the BAD lesbian (she's the one who has to denigrate herself by actually using a phallus don't you know...), that foreshadowing made more sense and indicated a mutual interest that was not so tangible in the book.
In the book indeed it really seemed odd to me that in such desperation Nan would stake her hope on what was at best a "girl on a bus."The film's (or really series') pace does seem to pick up a lot of steam by the third installment, and may be moving too fast by then.
Still I thought it bested the book and for that I'll give it a5/10since it is kind of hard to rate it as a film alone.Two things I'd be interested in...Exactly how close to real is this?
Anyway, this three part series is based on a book by Sarah Waters and puts its main focus on lesbians - although the plot also has room to explore some other 'dark' sides of sexuality.
The acting is solid as you would expect, but I must admit that I found lead actress Rachael Stirling awkward and hard to get on with at first; although she grows into her role well as the film progresses.
The story does get a little bit sappy towards the end also, which is a shame because this film is at it's strongest during the dark moments (episode 2 being the high point of three for me).
I'm not a huge fan of the "big gay movie" of these days, Brokeback Mountain (a good movie, but not a masterpiece), but after having seen this series, I must say that that film at least tried to understand the relationship between two people.
This series is a mockery of all things lesbian.First of all, the directing is the worst thing about the film.
With Stirling's over-affected way of acting and misplaced intonations however (not to mention her strange voice), this character was anything but believable, let alone interesting.And in the end, the entire cast was simply defeated by a terrible script and lousy dialogue.
I don't know if the book by Sarah Waters is any good, but if it's anything like this piece of bad soap opera, I don't understand why it ever was considered to be essential women's literature, and why it should be turned into a movie.
And I thought the performance on Rachael Stirling, though a bit stilted and wooden at times, became sensitive and impressive towards the end.Still, I have read some of the other comments on here that state that this is not a lesbian movie, and all I have to say that if this isn't a lesbian movie, then I don't know what is..There are, to say the least, some very explicit love scenes, especially between Nan and Kitty, and later, between Nan and Diana, and then Nan and the maid.
I found this interesting.Anyway, I found the movie to be a bit interesting in places, but feel the whole "Lesbian sex" subject was just thrown in for publicity, rather than to tell a story.It's a good movie, but not a great one..
Nan accompanies Kitty to London as her dresser Not everything that happens to Nan is pleasant in this story, and some of the things she does are not squeaky-clean either - but she will win your heart, and her story of love triumphant will leave you with a beautiful lump in your throat at the end.If you are a lesbo-hating macho man or a homophobic housewife, or some brand of religious fundamentalist who believes that homosexuals should die and go to hell, this series is not for you.
At the time of its release, Tipping th Velvet got a lot of hype for being perhaps the most "raunchy" lesbian thing that had managed to get onto the BBC.
That and the weird and obtrusive editing and background music.The character of Nan, the main protagonist and heroine, is a far cry from her representation of the book.
Without it, Kitty's betrayal makes little sense.A bit like this film.
I'm glad that the character Nan found her long-lost love and a place to be feed, warm,etc.