About the Author

I was born in Manchester in 1934. After school I trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and worked for seven years as a professional actor, with Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop and London Old Vic Company, touring extensively in Europe (including two seasons at the Moscow Arts Theatre). I still act occasionally on TV.

In 1963 I became an Anglican priest, and worked from 1973 to 1990 as wholetime Chaplain of a large old-fashioned psychiatric hospital in the North of England. During this time I wrote several books, mainly about Christian ritual - being both an actor and a clergyman - and life in a mental hospital - being both staff member and ex-patient: My work as a liturgiologist gained me a Higher Doctorate at London University, and I also hold doctorates in Sociology (Leeds), Implicit Religion (CNAA) and Dramatherapy Research (Leeds Metropolitan University). Currently I am working privately as a psychotherapist, and I am on the British Psychological Society's 'Register of Psychologists Specialising in Psychotherapy' (Senior Practitioner).