Stars come out for Keira Knightley's new play

Hollywood star Danny DeVito, filmmaker Gurinder Chadha and actress Miriam Margolyes were among the crowd who turned out to see Keira Knightley in the opening night of West End play The Children's Hour.

The 25-year-old Pirates Of The Caribbean star has returned to her hometown of London for a spell in the 1934 play by Lillian Hellman, showing at The Comedy Theatre.

She plays a headmistress accused of having a lesbian affair with her colleague, played by Mad Men actress Elizabeth Moss, who is appearing on the West End stage for the first time.

Chadha, who launched Knightley's film career by casting her in comedy Bend It Like Beckham, was one of the many audience members to give the cast a standing ovation.

"I thought it was very powerful, I'm a bit overcome. I'm so proud of Keira," she said after the performance.

The filmmaker added that she did not think Knightley's recent split from actor Rupert Friend would have affected her performance.

"I think her personal life is one thing and her professional life is another. I think she's a consummate professional and I think she's goes from strength to strength regardless of what's going on," Chadha said.

Knightley already has a number of theatre roles on her CV, including an acclaimed turn in Moliere's The Misanthrope in 2009.

The Children's Hour, which also stars Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn, is on until April 30.