Rosie Kane Returns As Actor On The Breadline

Mar 2 2008 By Heather Greenaway

SOCIALIST firebrand Rosie Kane didn't have far to go to get inspiration for her acting debut about working on the breadline.

Mum-of-two Rosie, 46, revealed yesterday she is getting by on £58-a-week dole money since losing her seat as an MSP.

Powerful theatre drama Heat Or Eat is based on the real-life experiences of women on low pay or benefits.

Rosie plays working mum Angela, whose husband is so useless he is represented by an empty chair.

She said: "It was not hard to get into character.

I'm having to survive on £58 a week and know how hard it is to bring up kids on not very much."

The former Scottish Socialist Party politician, who has been taking acting lessons since last July, says she would not mind taking to the stage permanently.

She said: "I would love to play Scarlett's sister in River City but, knowing my luck, the only role I'll get will be a dead body in Taggart.

"I really love acting and if I could make a career out of it I would.

"Let's face it, I'm a drama queen - and I got enough drama in Holyrood to serve me a lifetime."

Rosie hopes the piece, staged at The Arches in Glasgow, will encourage policy-makers to help women who have jobs but are below the breadline.

She said: "I was approached last year by the Poverty Alliance who were looking for community activists to take part in a play."

Rosie's daughter Nicola also makes a surprise appearance in the show, which has already sold out.

Rosie said: "Nicola appears on a piece of film screened at the end of the play and offers hope.

"She suffers from agoraphobia and rarely leaves the house but is still a positive and fun-loving person.

"Passing on her message is one of the most moving parts."

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