Wanting a change from making movies Kiera Knightley is to star in a West End show.

The 24 year old actress is going to play a vacuous Hollywood star in a modern version of the 17th century comedy by Moliere.

The show is called “The Misanthorpe” and Knightley is said to be both excited and terrified about doing the play.

Knightley’s character is the love interest of seasoned actor Damian Lewis’s lead role.

Knightley has been taking private singing lessons to ready herself for the role.

The show will open in December and is directed by Thea Sharrock who also directed Daniel Radcliffe aka Harry Potter in his West End show in 2007.

Sharrock had this to say about Knightley

“It’s not a whim on her part. She’s absolutely ready to come into this vulnerable position.

“I’m interested in working with her, to push her in a way that I don’t think she has been pushed before because although she has worked with amazing directors, film doesn’t work like that.”

Knightley is luckily as she can call on boyfriend Rupert Friend who makes his own appearance on the West End next year following his film ‘Chreri’

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