Elder statesman of theatre world went on to be key figure at the Citizens
PETER KELLY, who has died aged 82, was an actor of sophistication, sensitivity and wit, who went from his early forays on stage as a teenager to become an elder statesman of Scotland’s theatre. In-between, Kelly became an integral part of the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow’s loose knit 1970s ensemble. He also appeared at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh in the premieres of
Tom Mcgrath’s Jimmy Boyle inspired play, The Hardman (1977), and new works by CP Taylor.
Kelly performed in a succession of musical revues, devised with novelist and playwright Archie Hind. These included a solo turn in I Am Cabaret, in which Kelly played a version of Kander and Ebb’s Emcee character, whom he would later play in the musical itself. There were stints as a TV and radio presenter, and Kelly became one of the finest dames in pantomime.
Latterly, Kelly appeared in several shows by the Glasgow-based theatre company, Vanishing Point, touring the world with the company’s production of Interiors (2009-2022).
Peter was born in Glasgow, one of three children to Elizabeth and Patrick Kelly, a chef at the Whitehall restaurant. He grew up in Maryhill before the family moved to Priesthill. Encouraged by a classmate, he visited Morrison’s Theatrical Agents, and quickly found himself sharing bills with comedians and jugglers singing at afternoon concerts for pensioners.
By the time he was 17, Kelly was living in London. Bit parts on TV and rep seasons in Carlisle and Cheltenham followed. In 1962 he was cast in the premiere of Arnold Wesker’s play, Chips with Everything.
Returning to Scotland, Kelly gravitated towards the Citizens Theatre, then under the artistic directorship of Michael Blakemore, and appeared in Hugh Leonard’s stage version of James Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Kelly also worked extensively at the Citz’s studio club space, The Close. Kelly co-devised a late night show based around the songs of Rodgers and Hart, and a season of fact-based dramas. These included one about Red Clydeside that featured musical accompaniment from folk singer Matt Mcginn and the Humblebums, featuring Billy Connolly.
Kelly also appeared on TV in plays produced by STV, and presented a series called Contrast, introducing a compendium of interviews, sketches and songs.
Kelly joined Iain Cuthbertson’s company for a season of Scottish plays at Perth Theatre, and presented another STV programme, Look, There Goes Baby!, a 10-part educational series on how to make home movies.
At the Citz, Kelly appeared in the premiere of C.P. Taylor’s play, Bread and Butter (1966). With Archie Hind, Kelly devised a late night revue, Hindsight. This was followed by several more collaborations with Hind. Kelly’s first film appearance came in John Dexter’s version of Leslie Thomas’s novel, The Virgin Soldiers (1969).
On Radio Scotland, Kelly joined its magazine programme, 12 Noon, playing the part of Simon, a trendy young Glaswegian reporting on “cool” things to do in the city. In 1971 he was invited by Giles Havergal at the Citz to play the dame in Puss In Boots.
Kelly continued at the Citz in Robert David Macdonald’s production of Gogol’s The Government Inspector, then to the Traverse with a double bill of CP Taylor plays, Allergy (1973) and Next Year In Tel Aviv (1973). Back at the Citz, Kelly appeared in Camille, and Brecht’s St. Joan of the Stockyards, and for Arthur Kopit’s play, Indians, learnt to ride to play Buffalo Bill.
At the Traverse, Kelly caused a sensation in The Hardman, playing the incarcerated killer based on Jimmy Boyle. Kelly visited Boyle in Barlinnie, and the two kept up a correspondence. The play transferred to the ICA in London before a run at Glasgow Pavilion. A radio version saw Kelly nominated for a Pye radio best actor award.
On television, Kelly appeared in The House With The Green Shutters (1980), and in The Amazing Miss Stella Estelle (1984), the last ever edition of Play for Today.
After returning to Scotland from Italy,
Kelly teamed up with Vanishing Point for a revival of Interiors, and ended up taking part in tours of the play that visited South America, China, South Korea and Europe.
Kelly is survived by his sister Jean, his brother Ian, and his nieces, Mags, Liz, Sharon, and Michele, and his nephew, John.