Mark is the earliest of the Gospels, the one written closest to Jesus’ lifetime. It is short, urgent, passionate and dramatic and reads a little like a front-line despatch from Christ’s life and death. Often we hear the Gospels in short sections, but it can be a revelation to read – or hear – the whole of the story at once.

Just before Holy Week, we will have a unique opportunity to hear the Gospel of Mark in its entirety, read by one of the great actors of our times in St Paul’s Cathedral. The evening will be a dramatic reading of the Gospel, without commentary.

David Suchet is one of the best-known and best-loved actors of his generation. He has worked for the RSC, in the West End and on Broadway, and his most famous role is Hercule Poirot in the long-running television series. In 2011 he was awarded a CBE for services to drama, and in 2014 was given a lifetime achievement award by the Royal Television Society for his performance as Poirot. Raised without religion, he was converted by reading Romans 8 in a hotel Bible.

A practicing Anglican, he has made highly successful BBC documentary series following in the footsteps of St Paul and St Peter, is Vice-President of the Bible Society and his best-selling audio book of the Bible, released in 2014 by Hodder, fulfilled a 27 year ambition.