Keira Knightley’s West End debut
Knightley has received mixed reviews for her West End debut in an updated production of Molieres 17th Century classic satire The Misanthrope, at Londons Comedy Theatre.f1
Talking to the BBC earlier this week, the Atonement star said she awaited to be ‘burned alive’ by the critics for her portrayal of a US film star.
QUENTIN LETTS – DAILY MAIL
Knightley is one of the 21st century cinemas revered objects, but on stage she demonstrates little better than sufficient.
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 useful goldfish. Miss Knightley has a faultless face, but it does not move about much.
In a film actress this is often an advantage, but on stage it is a riskily. Its like giving a carpenter a blunt chisel.
CHARLES SPENCER – DAILY TELEGRAPH
At the beginning, Knightley seems a touch tentative, lacking in both energy and attendance.
In the second half however, in which she fractious insults a false friend and has a real humdinger of a row with the jealous Alceste, she uncovers both power and poignancy.
Keira also makes you understand why Damian Lewiss splendid Alceste is so obsessed with the movie star, even though she represents everything he disdains.
There is a mystery to Knightleys allure, and an attractive streak of mischief in her portrayal of the actress.f1
BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE – THE TIMES
Knightley catches the waywardness, sometimes the steel behind the velvety manner, the narcissistic love of care, but not the authority to explain how she can dominate a gathering by more than beauty.
Partly the cause is physical. Shes so wispy she could fit into an umbrella stand. Partly its a want of vox, Partly a lack of the confidence that more time on stage may bring her.tisha