Meryl Streep is to star in a biopic of the famously awful opera singer Florence Foster Jenkins for director Stephen Frears, reports Variety.

The three-time Oscar-winning actor will take the role of Jenkins, an heiress who used her wealth to embark on a singing career that took her to concert halls across the US in the 1920s, 30s and 40s despite her complete inability to hold a note or stay in time. Hugh Grant is in line to play the soprano’s partner and manager, St Clair Bayfield, with the film titled simply Florence.

Jenkins is known for her utter intransigence in the face of widespread public ridicule, which eventually led to a phenomenon whereby audiences would pay top dollar to see her perform terribly. “People may say I can’t sing, but no one can ever say I didn’t sing,” she is said to have once pointed out.

Jenkins did not begin giving recitals until 1912, at the age of 44. She was apparently firmly convinced of her own greatness, comparing herself to famous sopranos such as Frieda Hempel and Luisa Tetrazzini, and dismissing audience laughter during performances as “professional jealousy”. Her bandmembers appeared to be in on the joke with the “fans”. Regular accompanist Cosmé McMoon is said to have enjoyed making faces at Jenkins behind her back to get laughs.

Frears, known for biopics such as The Queen and Philomena, will work from a screenplay by Nicholas Martin. The British director is currently in post-production on a biopic of the disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, starring Ben Foster in the lead role.

Florence will be touted to potential buyers at the American Film Market in Santa Monica, California, early in November.