Synopsis

Washed-up Hollywood star Jefferson Steel (Burt Reynolds) is deceived by his agent into playing King Lear in an amateur community production in a small English town. Expecting a suite at a fancy hotel, the actor finds himself lodging in a bed and breakfast. Steel's arrogance and pretensions barely allow him to conform to such indignities as rehearsing Shakespeare in a barn. But, among the enthusiastic locals, he slowly comes to rethink some of his assumptions and look at life in a whole new way.

DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERS

JEFFERSON STEELE - A fading Hollywood star who is arrogant, insecure, brash, gauche,
demanding, vulnerable and ultimately aware of his own absurdity.

•DOROTHY NETTLE - Director of the Stratford Players and the moving force behind keeping the theatre alive. Her sweet and accommodating manner conceals her inner steel.

JESSICA STEELE - Jefferson's teenage daughter, who has been neglected by her Hollywood star father and now wants to make him pay for it.

NIGEL DEWBURY - Solicitor and leading light of the Stratford Players. Pompous, stuck-up and self-regarding, he believes he is the star of the show, and should play all the leading roles. Healso fancies his romantic chances with Dorothy.

MARY PLUNKETT - Owner of the Rectory bed and breakfast. Jolly, generous and an
unashamedly adoring Jefferson Steele fan -- although somewhat confused about which roles he played in his films, and how keen he is on her.

DENIS DOBBINS - Handyman and village Mr. Fixit. Avuncular though slightly dull, Denis is star-struck by Jefferson and fancies heading up his entourage of one.

LAUREN BELL - Thirty-something marketing executive former physiotherapist and the sponsor's wife. Passionate about the arts and smarter than her husband allows her to be, she's treated as a bimbo because of her looks