NEW YORK

Theatre critics are virtually unanimous in praising Lupita Nyong'o's stage debut in an Africa-focused play that opened in New York on Wednesday.

The New York Times hailed "Ms Nyong'o's tremendously accomplished performance" in the drama, titled Eclipsed, that is set during the final stages of Liberia's civil war in 2003.

The Oscar winner, who had her pick of roles in New York theatre, made the surprising decision to play the part of a young woman who is raped and sexually enslaved by a Liberian warlord.

"She put her natural glamour on hold," the New York Post noted in its review. "You'd never guess the woman we see in a torn skirt and a ratty Rugrats T-shirt is the same one adorning magazine covers."

"She's the real deal, honest and down-to-earth."

Ms Nyong'o is "as charismatic as it's possible to be," a critic of the Wall Street Journal wrote.

Asked in a New York Times interview earlier this month why she chose such a difficult role, Ms Nyong'o said, "I needed to get back to who I was as a performer, as an actor, as a beginner."

Referring to her Academy Award for the film 12 Years a Slave, the 32-year-old actress added, "The thing about winning a prestigious award is that in a sense you're being told that you're an expert.

"But when you play a role, you're always a beginner. And I love the communal experience of theatre, of getting to go really deep and to play with other people and create together."

Ms Nyong'o also cited her upbringing in Kenya as a factor influencing her choice to head the cast of Eclipsed.

Eclipsed was written byZimbabwean-American playright and actress Danai Gurira, known for her role in the hit US television series The Walking Dead.

The show runs at the Public Theatre in Manhattan through November 29.