Mrs Henderson Presents (2005) on Netflix
Recently widowed Laura Henderson buys a rundown London theater and puts Vivian Van Damm in charge. Their nonstop variety revue succeeds until rivals copy it, and she proposes nude performers.
- Netflix3.6/5
- IMDb7.0/1017,174 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes68%
Trailer
Plot summary
A wealthy widow in London, Laura Henderson buys a derelict cinema and remodels it into the Windmill Theatre as a hobby, then appoints the autocratic Vivian Van Damm to run the place. In 1937 the two launch a continuous variety revue called Revudeville, which does well until other theaters copy the format and the Windmill begins losing money. Laura's answer is to add female nudity, on the lines of what the Moulin Rouge does in Paris, which no British stage has attempted. Van Damm points out that the official responsible for licensing live shows in Britain is likely to object. Laura happens to be a friend of his, and he agrees to allow the nudes on one condition: the women must hold themselves motionless, so the display can count as art.
Cast
- Richard Symsas Ambrose
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Mrs Henderson Presents (2005)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- In the 2015 stage musical adaptation of the film, Janie Dee was cast as Laura Henderson but pulled out before rehearsals for personal reasons, and Tracie Bennett replaced her in the role.
- The film tells the true story of Laura Henderson, an eccentric British socialite who opened the Windmill Theatre in London in 1931.
