front of thousands: "You are too slow—you go too fast—not there, but here—that's good—that's better! It was as if we walked before the crimson curtain, lay down upon the boards and kissed and fondled—and were clapped, and cheered, and paid for it!" A persistent rumour claims a film adaptation of Tipping the Velvet will be directed by Sofia Coppola, starring Beyoncé Knowles and Eva Longoria. However, Longoria insists that everything about the rumour is false, right down to quotes cited to her and Knowles. Knowles also wonders where the false quotes and story originate from. In 2009, UK playwright Amanda Whittington wrote a stage adaptation of Tipping the Velvet. It was showcased by Guildhall School of Music and Drama at The Bridewell Theatre, London, in October 2009. Directed by Katharine Rogers, the production featured original music hall songs and was praised for its authentic interpretation of the novel. Stage On 14 April 2015, it was announced the play would receive its world premiere the same year and would begin previews at the Lyric Hammersmith on 18 September 2015, with an official opening night on 28 September, booking for a limited period until 24 October. Following its premiere production the play transferred to the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, as part of the 50th anniversary season of the Royal Lyceum Theatre company, where it ran from 28 October to 14 November 2015. Tipping the Velvet has been adapted for the stage by Laura Wade and is directed by Lyndsey Turner, with choreography by Alistair David, design by Lizzie Clachan, lighting design by Jon Clark, music by Michael Bruce and sound by Nick Manning. Citations References in Tipping the Velvet correspond to: Waters, Sarah (1 May 2000). Tipping the Velvet: A Novel: New York City: Riverhead Trade. External links Novel at Sarah Waters' official website Tipping the Velvet at BBC Online ‘It was an electric time to be gay’: Sarah Waters on 20 years of Tipping the Velvet 1990s LGBT novels 1998 British novels British LGBT novels Novels by Sarah Waters British bildungsromans Lambda Literary Award-winning works Novels with lesbian themes Novels set in the 1890s Picaresque novels British novels adapted into television shows Novels set in Kent Whitstable 1998 debut novels Virago Press books British novels adapted into plays