Kate Winslet is in line to make her theatre debut.

The 'Contagion' actress has spoken several times with David Hare about him directing her in a play called 'Skylight' opposite Bill Nighy and, following three months of negotiations, is now looking to clear her schedule to appear in the production.

A source said: ''She's in love with the play and would very much like to do it.''

However, it is claimed there are some ''obstacles of a private nature'' that could prevent the actress - who has two children, Mia, 11, and eight-year-old Joe, from her two marriages - from taking part as well as reorganising her professional commitments.

The source added to the Daily Mail newspaper: ''It may change, and the way is clear for her to do 'Skylight', but there's no 100 per cent guarantee.''

It has not yet been decided whether the play will be staged in London's West End or Broadway in New York.

'Skylight' - which originally featured Michael Gambon and Lia Williams and won a string of awards - tells the story of a famous restauranteur who meets a former mistress with whom he had had an affair while his wife was still alive.

He finds his ex-lover is living in self-imposed exile to atone for their illicit relationship.