BOLTON actress Maxine Peake will star in a five week run of Tennessee Williams classic A Streetcar Named Desire at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.

Maxine, who is an associate artist at the city centre theatre, will open its 40th anniversary season with her portrayal of iconic female protagonist Blanche DuBois in the 1947 play.

It is the latest product of the collaboration between the former Westhoughton High School pupil and Sarah Frankcom, the theatre's artistic director.

The pair have previously worked together on productions of Hamlet and in The Skriker and The Masque of Anarchy, which have featured in the previous two Manchester International Festivals.

The production opens at the Royal Exchange on September 8 and runs until October 15.

Maxine said: "Blanche DuBois is a monumental woman, complex, multi-layered and beautifully painted by Williams in this staggering play.

"Finding out who she is and developing her in a rehearsal room with a brilliant and generous director like Sarah is a thrilling journey to go on. I can’t wait to start."

Sarah Frankcom added: "This is an earthquake of a play that lays bare the extremes and contradictions of being human: desire and love, truth and delusion, hope and despair. I’m thrilled that this production will build on my creative collaboration with Maxine Peake.

"She’s a rare and fearless actor. I am positive we will create something electrifying for our intimate and unique space."

The drama is often regarded as among the finest plays of the 20th century, and is generally considered to be Williams' greatest.

It tells the story of Blanche DuBois moves in with her sister in New Orleans and is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law while her reality crumbles around her.

It was made into a film in 1951, starring Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando.

Maxine is due to star as Titania in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream screened on BBC One later this month.