Keira Knightley’s stage debut has taken £1million at the box office within just four days – and the cast hasn’t even started rehearsals yet. The West End production, a new version of Molière’s famous comedy The Misanthrope, which also stars Damian Lewis, hadn’t been advertised until this week, with just a small article in Baz Bamigboye’s Daily Mail column breaking the news a few days ago, which was swiftly picked up by news outlets around the world. However, fans of the Oscar-nominated star have since flooded the box office line with ticket requests, almost guaranteeing a sell-out success when it opens for previews in early December. It’s been a quiet year for Keira, who’s kept her flawless face out of the papers thanks to a full-on schedule of filming and few red carpet appearances. However, it’ll be business as usual next year with four of the star’s films due for release, including the eagerly awaited London Boulevard, co-starring Colin Farrell and Anna Friel, and Never Let Me Go, alongside Charlotte Rampling and hot new face Carey Mulligan.
Get your ticket here!
none
Keira Knightley is set to move from the big screen to the boards of London’s West End — she has landed a role in a play! The British actress has bagged the lead role in a modern version of Moliere’s 17th century comedy The Misanthrope. The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 24, will play a vacuous Hollywood film star who seduces a disillusioned playwright. She will star alongside British actors Damian Lewis and Tara Fitzgerald. The production — which will run at the British capital’s Comedy Theatre from December 17 until March 13 — will be directed by Thea Sharrock whose credits include the West production of Equus, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths. Knightley is said to be “terrified but excited” about the play and has been taking voice and singing lessons to prepare for the role.
none
Women’s Aid’s controversial domestic violence advert starring Keira Knightley is to be censored by Ofcom before it is allowed to be broadcast on television because it is too violent. The charity is meeting with its advertising agency on April 29, to discuss what issues Clearcast, the censor, has with the advertisement, titled The Cut. It features actor Keira Knightley being kicked and slapped by her partner. It is understood that the advertisement will not be able to be aired in its present form. Precise details as to what changes Clearcast have requested be made are not yet available. Women’s Aid was not willing to discuss the matter with the media before the meeting with its ad agency. The Cut, directed by award-winning director Joe Wright, was first aired early this month at which point it was planned to be released only in cinemas. The decision to take the advertisement, which features a £2-a-month donation request, onto television appears to have been made following the cinema and online release. The Advertising Standards Authority reported that it has received two complaints about The Cut, but that the complaints came not from people who had seen the advert itself, but had read news stories about its content. As a result the ASA did not have the jurisdiction to rule on the complaints. Chris Hirst, managing director of Women’s Aid’s advertising agency Grey London, said: “The reason we are still in conversation with Clearcast about it is because they believe it is too violent. “Part of the point of the campaign is to raise awareness about domestic violence and spark debate, which the advert has done, even if it doesn’t make it onto TV.” Before the advertisement’s launch this month, Women’s Aid head of fundraising and communications Lucy Brown told PF that while forceful, the advert had been received well in testing. “I don’t think anyone has said it is unnecessarily brutal or violent,” she said. “Everyone thought it was a strong message done very, very well.”
none
Actress Keira Knightley is shown being assaulted by an abusive boyfriend in a new advert to raise awareness of domestic violence. The Pirates of the Caribbean star is brutally attacked in the two-minute advert for the Women’s Aid charity, directed by Atonement helmer Joe Wright. Knightley is slapped in the shocking advert before the jealous partner kicks her several times as she cowers on the floor. The commercial camera pans backwards to reveal the scene occurring on a deserted film set before a strapline reads: “Isn’t it time someone called cut?” Made by ad agency Grey London, it will be shown before 15-rated films in cinemas from today and also shown on television after the watershed. “I wanted to take part in this advert for Women’s Aid because while domestic violence exists in every section of society, we rarely hear about it,” said Knightley. “We may not think we know someone who has experienced domestic violence, but this does not mean that it is not happening. “Without the services provided by Women’s Aid, many more women could be at risk of being killed, yet without donations the charity may not exist this time next year.” Two women die from domestic violence at the hands of a current or former partner every week, according to Women’s Aid. “We hope the Women’s Aid campaign will both increase public awareness of domestic violence, letting abused women and their families and friends know that there is help out there, and also raise vital funds for Women’s Aid, to help us to continue in our work,” said Nicola Harwin, the charity’s chief executive.
none
Stella McCartney has designed a range of limited edition T-shirts for Comic Relief that feature unique photographs taken by her late mother, Linda. One of the T-shirts features an image of her father, Sir Paul McCartney and his bandmates taken at the height of The Beatles’ fame. Another shows Morecambe and Wise, the comic duo, captured by David Bailey, the veteran photographer. One important addition has been made to the original photos, however; all their subjects have been given red noses. Read the rest of this entry…
none
British starlet Keira Knightley has called for the true meaning of “human rights” to be acknowledged on the 60th anniversary of the landmark UN declaration. The star of Atonement said the concept should be something to be proud of despite it having become “a bit of a loaded term in this country”. Knightley made the comments in support of Amnesty International’s Protect the Human campaign. A picture of the actress holding a banner carrying the campaign group’s slogan was released to coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Read the rest of this entry…
none
Actress Keira Knightley incarnates a mysterious character in a fragrance commercial.
Tradition holds that things always happen in threes. Keira Knightley and Joe Wright first collaborated in Pride & Prejudice, the adaptation of the Jane Austen classic.
It aced an Oscar nomination for Britain’s new rose and, for the young British director, two nods for directorial awards.
Actress Keira Knightley on the set of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, directed by Joe Wright.
The artistic partnership continued in Atonement (scheduled for year-end release), and – a surprising third – an advertising film for a Chanel fragrance, Coco Mademoiselle.
Making his commercial debut, Wright directs Knightley as a mysterious Chanel-like character in the 60-second film set to a Nat King Cole song, updated by Joss Stone.
What was your primary aim, where Keira was concerned?
I know her face perfectly! I know how to capture the essence of her beauty and personality. We can tell each other things without beating around the bush. We are very natural with each other. This is really rare for a director and actor.
Did you learn anything new about Keira on this advertising film?
I am amazed by her ability to deal with all the pressure that she faces. She’s only 21 years old! Keira pouts when she’s tense. I kept telling her: “Stop pouting! Stop pouting!” At the end of the shoot, she told me: “Now I can pout as much as I like!” Continue
none
