Mumming is not acting: What is the difference and why is this important in gaining the public’s trust?

In the mind of the public, an actor is trying to convince them that he is other than himself. When they view a theatrical production they are prepared to be ‘fooled’. There are many other people in life who are trying to do the same thing – politicians, salesmen etc. – and these people are rightly viewed with suspicion. The fact that mummers are patently not acting may help to explain why, when we invade public space, we are often accorded far more sympathetic attention than we probably deserve. In aiming for more convincing characterisation is this sympathetic attention something we would be in danger of losing?