Watch Knightley And Company Assay A Classic

London: The Misanthrope; until 13 Mar. at the Comedy Theatre, Panton St., SW1; from £20; themisanthropelondon.com

Shortlist, December 17, 2009

Damian Lewis, a contender for Britain's smoothest man, leads a superlative ensemble (including Keira Knightley, pictured below) in this slick updating of Molière's 17th-century comedy to contemporary London. Lewis is on top form as disillusioned playwright Alceste, who rails against our shallow society until he falls in love with a glamorous film star (guess who). This is the winter's classiest night out.

Caption: Missing from London Zoo: one peacock.