BOLTON actress Maxine Peake will take to the stage in her latest play this evening.

How To Hold Your Breath opens at the Royal Court, London, and runs until Saturday, March 21.

It is the first stage appearance by the former Westhoughton High School and Canon Slade student since her record-breaking performance in Hamlet at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre last September.

Zinnie Harris' new play is billed by the theatre as a "darkly witty and magical play".

Starting with a seemingly innocent one night stand, it then dives into our recent European history, providing an epic look at the true cost of our principles and how we live now.

Cast members joining Maxine — who previously appeared in Mother Theresa is Dead at the theatre — is Christine Bottomley, Neil D'Souza, Peter Forbes, Siobhán McSweeney, Danusia Samal and Michael Shaeffer.