THE Lowry has created artistic links between its LS Lowry exhibitions, the theatre programme and the Salford community for the first time.

The setting for Love on the Dole, which runs from September 9 to 18, is industrial-looking scenery in the Lyric theatre, in which the audience will sit.

Salford-born Walter Greenwood wrote Love on the Dole at the height of the 1930s Depression, making Hanky Park famous throughout the world.

Greenwood knew LS Lowry, who at the same time was painting streets, mills and people in the same area.

The decision to stage Love on the Dole - a Salford-based novel - as a community play is the latest, and most ambitious, stage in forging a strong, lasting relationship with Salford.

To coincide with the theatre production, there is an exhibition of Lowry's pictures of the 1930s, called Mean Streets, in the Galleries.

The Lowry began working on this major project more than two years ago by commissioning writer Kevin Fegan to adapt the text. From January this year, a professional creative team was appointed to lead various dance, drama, design, music and voice workshops.

More than 100 local participants from a diverse range of backgrounds have helped to bring this Salford-based novel to life.

Robert Robson, The Lowry's artistic director, said: "Love on the Dole is our most ambitious community project to date.

"We are really excited about creating both a community play and a quality theatrical production. The show will be a balance between the reality of Salford in the 1930s and the humour and colour of the characters and their lives.

"This has been a wonderful project for everyone involved in the development process, as well as for the audiences seeing the final production."