Keira 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

Speaking to the BBC earlier this week, 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 Knightley may be one of 21st century movies respected 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 boring side.

She has all the charisma of a useful goldfish. Miss Keira Knightley has a faultless face, but it doesnt move about much.

In a movie actress this is frequently an advantage, but on stage it is a riskily. Its like giving a woodworker a blunt chisel.

CHARLES SPENCER – DAILY TELEGRAPH

At the beginning, Keira Knightley seems a touch tentative, lacking in both energy and attendance.

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.

She also makes you understand why Damian Lewiss splendid Alceste is so obsessed with the movie star, even if she represents everything he disdains.

There is a mystery to Keira Knightleys allure, and an endearing streak of mischief in her portrayal of the actress.f1

BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE – THE TIMES

Keira Knightley catches the waywardness, occasionally the steel behind the velvety manner, the narcissistic love of care, but not the authority to explain how she can dominate a collecting 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

bbc keira keira knightley theatre