Kate keen to tread the boards

Kate Winslet is in line to make a return to the theatre.

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% guarantee."

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

'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.