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Critics were sharply divided over Hollywood star Keira Knightley's London stage debut, with one calling her "strikingly convincing" and another accusing her of "having all the charisma of a goldfish". The 24-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star was playing an American movie star in an updated production of Moliere's 17th Century classic satire The Misanthrope. She had said before opening night at the Comedy Theatre that she had not been expecting great reviews. She told the BBC: "I thought if I don't do theatre right now, I think I'm going to start being too terrified to do it ... so I just thought, okay, dive in and give it a go. "If my best isn't good enough, then so be it." In the event, the tabloid newspapers were the most scathing about her portrayal of the ambitious Jennifer, while others ranged from faint praise to wholehearted approval. "The critical knives were unsheathed and quivering," noted The Independent. "So it's a tonic to report that Knightley finesses all this ethical fussing by turning in a performance that is not only strikingly convincing but, at times, rather thrilling in its satiric aplomb. "She has real stage presence and knows how to use it." The Guardian was similarly impressed. "Since she's playing a movie star in her 20s, one could say that she is not unduly stretched," it said. "But Knightley brings to the role fine, sculpted features, palpable intelligence and a nice mix of faux-innocence and flirtiness. Even if she doesn't always know what to do with her hands, she gives a perfectly creditable performance." The Daily Telegraph thought she warmed to her role opposite a famous playwright, played by another Brit made good in Hollywood, Damian Lewis, as the evening went on. "In the early scenes Knightley seems a touch tentative, lacking in both energy and presence," it said. "In the second half however, in which she bitchily insults a false friend and has a real humdinger of a row with the jealous Alceste, she reveals both power and poignancy." But the Daily Mail was not impressed. "Keira Knightley may be one of 21st century cinema's revered objects but on stage she proves little better than adequate," its critic wrote. "She has all the charisma of a serviceable goldfish. Miss Knightley has a flawless face but it does not move about much." The Daily Express criticised her projection.

"Her lack of stage experience is sometimes painfully evident," it wrote. "Here there are no close-ups, no re-takes and no stopping for the make-up girl. Miss Knightley delivers her lines very clearly in an occasionally small voice." It added of the southwest London-born star: "Her American accent is fine but too much of her acting is on one note." The Times agreed, saying she lacked authority: "Partly the reason is physical," it said. "She's so wispy, she could fit into an umbrella stand. "Partly it's a want of vox, partly a lack of the assurance that more time on the stage may bring her." The play, directed by Thea Sharrock and also starring Kelly Price and Tara Fitzgerald, is due to run until March 13, 2010.

Actress Brittany Murphy, known for her roles in films such as "Clueless" and "8 Mile," died after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home, police and hospital officials said. She was 32. Murphy's mother discovered the star slumped unconscious in a shower at her home in Los Angeles before her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack, called emergency services, entertainment website TMZ.com reported. The actress was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills where she was confirmed dead at 10:04 am (GMT), spokeswoman Sally Stewart said. No other information was released by the hospital. Los Angeles Police Department officers were at Murphy's home asking preliminary questions, police confirmed. Investigators later said foul play was not suspected in the death. Murphy's family meanwhile appealed for privacy. "In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy," read a statement released by the actress's spokeswoman. News of Murphy's death comes after a medical drama involving her husband Monjack last month, when an ambulance was called to a Los Angeles airport arrival gate as the couple returned from Puerto Rico. On that occasion, it was the actress's husband who was rushed to hospital. Reports said the couple had been returning to Los Angeles after Murphy was thrown off the set of a movie and fired for difficult behavior. Murphy made her name in television sitcoms during the 1990s before grabbing notable roles in "Clueless," "Girl, Interrupted," "Sin City," "8 Mile" and "Happy Feet." She provided the voice of Luanne Platter in more than 200 episodes of the animated television sitcom "King Of The Hill." Born in Atlanta, Murphy was raised by her mother, Sharon, in New Jersey before moving to Los Angeles. The star scored her first role in 1991 on the television show "Blossom," before landing a starring role that same year in "Drexell's Class." She also had recurring roles in "Sister, Sister," "Party of Five" and "Boy Meets World." In addition to acting, Murphy also enjoyed a successful foray into music, collaborating with British DJ Paul Oakenfold on the single "Faster Kill Pussycat," a club hit that reached number one on the dance charts. In the dancing penguin animated hit film "Happy Feet," she performed a cover version of Queen's "Somebody to Love" and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland." Before marrying Monjack in 2007, she was engaged to talent manager Jeff Kwatinetz and previously dated actor Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher, now married to actress Demi Moore, offered condolences on Sunday via his page on micro-blogging site Twitter. "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon," the actor wrote. "See you on the other side kid." Murphy's co-star from "Clueless," Alicia Silverstone, said she had always felt connected to the actress even though they had not stayed in close touch. "I feel love in my heart for her -- and hope she is at peace. This is truly sad," Silverstone told People magazine. "I loved working with Brittany. She was so talented, so warm and so sweet."