Imperfect Mirrors

What do the theatre and the church have to teach each other? In what ways can drama and liturgy share common insights and practices? How may those who gather for plays or for worship be better served by the people who lead them? These are some of the questions explored by Kevin Scully, a Church of England priest, who moved from his work in an inner London parish to a rehearsal studio in Sydney in Australia to learn-by-doing. There he subjected himself to the interrogation of a professional director and found himself on a journey of fresh discovery. Imperfect Mirrors, with an introduction by the actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, sets outs what the author discovered and how it can be applied. Kevin Scully also offers a series of illuminating reflections on the theatre and church, tackling subjects as diverse as Zen, Kabuki and their relation to the Mass; Hamlet’s advice to players on speaking in public; the relationship between space and performance; and parallels between the training and work of the actor and the priest. This entertaining and insightful book will be of interest both to those caught up in the world of theatre and those involved in the church. Kevin Scully is a priest, playwright, actor, writer and broadcaster. He is rector of St. Matthew’s, Bethnal Green, in East London. His other books include “Five Impossible Things To Believe Before Christmas” “Women on the Way” and “Into Your Hands.”