An identical mug is seen in the opening sequence as Will Shakespeare [played by Joseph Fiennes] struggles to find inspiration for the new play he is writing, he scrunches up several sheets of discarded writing, one of which lands in the mug standing on a bureau in his lodgings. At this stage, the play is called Romeo And Ethel, The Pirate's Daughter

Shakespeare In Love won an Academy Award at the 1999 ceremony for Best Picture.