Knightley Nominated for Olivier Award

Published on 8 February 2010 by Nathan Brooker

Despite receiving a slew of bad reviews, Keira Knightley has been nominated for a prestigious Olivier award.

Appearing alongside Damian Lewis, Knightley is making her West End debut in an adaptation of Moliere's classic The Misanthrope at The Comedy Theatre. Cast as a bitchy, famous actress called Jennifer, Knightley's performance has been nominated for the Best Supporting Actress prize at this year's Olivier Awards.

However, news of her nomination may come as a surprise to some theatre-commentators, as she received a collection of bad reviews. Writing for the Daily Express, Paul Callan said: "Her lack of stage experience is sometimes painfully evident.'"

Quentin Letts, writing for the Mail, even described her performance as having "all the charisma of a serviceable goldfish".

The winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on 21 March.