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Theatre in Worship

Mark Tully examines the arguments for and against theatricality and performance in religious worship; with readings by Isla Blair and Kenneth Cranham.

In 'Theatre in Worship', Mark Tully investigates the role theatre and performance can take in acts of worship and examines the arguments both for and against theatricality in religious ceremony and ritual.

From the Puritan movement of the seventeenth century to the extravagance of baroque ecclesiastical architecture, from the vibrancy of religious festival and the popularity of religious theatre and dance to the single-minded pursuit of spiritual simplicity, performance in religion has often been controversial.

This edition of 'Something Understood' looks at some of the reasons for this with the help of theologian and writer Theo Hobson and the work of seventeenth century poet George Herbert, nineteenth century novelist Stendhal and twentieth century playwright Anthony Minghella. The music is by Spanish bagpiper Hevia and Japanese composer Toshi Tsuchitori.

The readers are Kenneth Cranham and Isla Blair

Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique Production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 14 Aug 2011 23:30

Music Played

  • Savourna Stevenson

    Calman the Dove

    Performer: Savourna Stevenson, Davy Spillane and Anne Wood

    • Calman the Dove.
    • Cooking Vinyl.
    • COOK CD 137.
  • George Stanford

    Magnificat in G

    Performer: Anthony Way, Gloucester Cathedral Choir

    • The Choir.
    • Decca.
    • B00000427Z.
  • Hevia

    El Ramu

    Performer: Hevia

    • Tierra de Nadie.
    • EMI Spain.
    • B001KT2G3Y.
  • Toshi Tsuchitori

    Nibiro Ghono Andhara

    Performer: Kudsi Erguner, Mahmoud Tabrizi-Zadeh and Djamchid Chemirani

    • Mahabharata.
    • Real World.
    • B000026GFZ.
  • The Benedictine Nuns of Notre-Dame de l鈥橝nnonciation

    Nonne Cor Nostrum

    Composer: n/a

    • Voices: Chant from Avignon.
    • Decca.
    • B003VWDP1U.
  • Stephen Schwartz

    Day by Day

    Performer: Jacqueline Dankworth and company

    • Godspell.
    • Jay Productions.
    • CDJAY 1247.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 Aug 2011 06:05
  • Sun 14 Aug 2011 23:30