Keira Knightley’s West End debut
Keira has received mixed reviews for her West End debut in an upgraded production of Molieres 17th Century classic satire The Misanthrope, at Londons Comedy Theatre.f1
Earlier this week talking to the BBC, the Atonement star said she expected to be ‘burned alive’ by the critics for her portrayal of a US film star.
QUENTIN LETTS – DAILY MAIL
Keira may be one of 21st century movies revered objects, but on stage she demonstrates little better than adequate.
Her arrival on the West End in an interesting (but intellectually disingenuous) treatment of Molieres Le Misanthrope is, well, on the dull side.
She has all the charisma of a serviceable goldfish. Miss Keira has a faultless face, but it does not move about much.
In a film actress this is frequently an advantage, but on stage it is a perilously. Its like giving a carpenter a blunt chisel.
CHARLES SPENCER – DAILY TELEGRAPH
In the early scenes, Keira seems a touch experimental, lacking in both energy and presence.
In the second half however, in which she bitchily affronts a false friend and has a real humdinger of a row with the jealous Alceste, she reveals both power and poignancy.
Knightley also makes you realise why Damian Lewiss splendid Alceste is so obsessed with the movie star, even if she represents everything he disdains.
There is a mystery to Keiras allure, and an endearing streak of mischief in her portrayal of the actress.f1
BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE – THE TIMES
Keira catches the waywardness, sometimes the steel behind the velvety manner, the narcissistic love of attention, but not the authority to explain how she can dominate a collecting by more than beauty.
Maybe the cause is physical. Shes so wispy she could fit into an umbrella stand. Maybe its a want of vox, Maybe a lack of the confidence that more time on stage may bring her.tisha