Keira Knightley is to make her West End debut in a modern-day version of Molière’s The Misanthrope.

She will play an ambitious American film star and darling of the social scene in the comedy, originally set in 17th century Paris. Martin Crimp, the writer, has adapted the play and transplanted it to contemporary London.

Knightley has admitted in the past to feeling nervous about appearing on stage. In an interview last year, the 24-year-old actress said that she planned to choose her first theatre role with care. “I can’t quite handle the idea of ‘Screen Actress in Big West End Hit’ and all that. I would prefer to do something smaller.”

Before becoming a Hollywood star with roles in the Pirates of the Caribbean films and Pride and Prejudice, an unknown Knightley tried and failed to land a stage role. “I used to go up for auditions and never get them. The last one was when I was 15 and I completely blew it,” she recalled.

Her mother, Sharman MacDonald, is a playwright and Knightley said: “I’d love to be in one of my mother’s plays, for sentimental reasons and because she’s a good writer, but that would be a bit corny for my first outing.”

The Misanthrope opens at London’s Comedy Theatre on December 17.

Damian Lewis, the actor best known for his role in the television mini-series Band of Brothers, will co-star as a cynical and disillusioned writer who falls in love with Knightley’s character.

The play will be directed by Thea Sharrock, whose previous credits include the award-winning adaptation of Equus starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Source: Independent.ie