LEARNING the lines is probably one of the toughest parts of being an actor.

So pity Clare Foster and Kieran Hill, who are appearing nightly in the Octagon’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire, while spending their days rehearsing for their next show, Love On The Dole.

Clare is playing the lead role of Blanche DuBois in “Streetcar”, which runs until Saturday.

And she will be playing another lead, Sally Hardcastle, in Love On The Dole, which opens on October 14.

Kieran is currently playing Stanley Kowalski, the character made famous by Marlon Brando, and will be taking on the role of the socialist agitator Larry Meath.

Both plays are directed by the Octagon’s Olivier Award-winning artistic director David Thacker.

Clare said: “Rehearsing for Love on the Dole whilst performing in A Streetcar Named Desire has been a huge personal challenge but one that has been so rewarding.

“David Thacker and the cast and crew have been very supportive and the audiences have been wonderful every night. I’m now really looking forward to bringing one of the greatest Northern plays of all time to a Northern stage, I think audiences will love it.”

Love On The Dole is set in Salford during the Great Depression and follows Sally’s troubles as she tries to balance her romanticism with the necessity of providing for her family.

David Thacker said: ““As every day passes this wonderful Northern classic seems to speak to us more powerfully. It’s firmly rooted in its time but it could almost have been written now.

“It’s a very strong, compelling story. I’m sure people will care deeply for the young people who are in love and are trying to make a life for themselves against the odds.”