Ian played Robert Lyon in Lee Hall’s award winning comedy at the National Theatre and on Broadway. The role was created by and for Ian Kelly in the initial run of the play with Newcastle Live.

North East Arts Council Culture Awards: Performance of the Year

London Evening Standard: Best Play

‘Amongst a whole set of sharply individualised performances...Ian Kelly [is] inspirational and exemplary’ 
THE GUARDIAN

‘The ensemble acting is first-rate, especially from Ian Kelly as the principled but ethically ambiguous figure of the art academic Robert Lyon’
THE STAGE

‘The finest ensemble acting at the National Theatre since The History Boys’
MAIL ON SUNDAY

‘Amongst a series of sublime performances - there is much to relish in Ian Kelly’s deliciously sly turn as the men’s teacher’
THE OBSERVER

‘This perfectly pitched and acted production, manages to be tragic, funny and illuminating in one fell swoop of energy’
EVENING STANDARD

‘Ablaze with intellectual vigour, political passion and incendiary emotional energy. A beautiful work of art that everybody should see’
THE TIMES