MATTHEW Kelly is a firm favourite with Liverpool audiences.

The former Everyman actor is a big fan of Merseyside audiences.

He is not, however, so keen on Guildford's theatre-goers.

He recently spoke of their lack of enthusiasm the actor praised 'Up North' instead during a very funny local radio interview.

The versatile, one-time TV presenter and actor spoke enthusiastically about his current tour with The Original Theatre Company and York Theatre Royal.

And The Habit of Art is certainly original.

This version, its first ever revival since creative craftsman Alan Bennett wrote it in 2009, is directed by Philip Franks Olivier-award winning Matthew, who shone in such acclaimed dramas as the Everyman's Twelfth Night and Pride and Prejudice at the Playhouse, again, shows how he can turn his hand to any theatrical genre.

He plays world-weary actor Fitz who is playing the equally weary poet W.H. Auden.

David Yelland (who appeared in Chariots of Fire and The Crown) is Henry who plays the sober-suited, almost clinical composer Benjamin Britten.

This is a meeting that never actually happened - a case of 'what if?'. 

And there are plenty of 'what ifs' to follow as Benjy calls on the old pal he hasn't seen in 30 years.

The action (verbal sparring of sorts) takes place during 1972 in Auden's sparse Oxford college rooms.

Britten wants the grumpy poet to write the libretto for his forthcoming Death in Venice.

It may sound like an intense, static two-hander but it's not that straight forward.

In total, there's a cast of seven including two stage management staff (who double up as cleaners), a rent boy, BBC arts reporter and the-play-within-a-play's writer pulling his metaphorical hair out.

Over two hours twenty minutes - including the interval - we listen intently as the dialogue switches from the play rehearsal in a drab but authentic looking church hall to the play within a play and back again.

Bennett's free flowing; sometimes acerbic script has very strong language and imagery as well as his trademark sharp and witty observations.

Bennett dissects friendship, sexuality, life, death, fickle fame and artistic legacy.

Happily the curious title The Habit of Art is explained.

As Matthew and company took a bow, he smiled a satisfied smile.

He knew that this audience 'Up North' had loved it.

Witty, unpredictable drama

Four Stars

The show is on until Saturday.

Tickets from the box office on 0151 709 4776.