Science vs religion. Can there ever be a common ground? What is the meaning of life, the universe and everything? Is there a God with a grand design or are we acts of evolution simply trying to make sense of our place in the universe?
In Freud’s Last Session, playwright Mark St. Germain crystallizes the debate, creating a fictional encounter between Sigmund Freud (Nicholas Papademetriou) the father of psychiatry and C.S. Lewis (Yannick Lawry), the Christian author of The Narnia Chronicles. Britain is sliding into World War II. If there is a god, what the hell is he doing? Freud is dying of oral cancer but wants to discover what prompted Lewis (an educated literary professor and once atheist) to convert to Christianity. He pointedly enquires “why a man of your intellect … abandoned truth and embraced an insidious lie.”
From the beginning the theatrical dynamic derives less from the ideas that are discussed than from the characters and their contrasts. The debate becomes personal. And the actors serve it well: Papademetriou is completely authentic as the intimidating Freud who even though is two weeks from death, is still capable of reducing religious argument with his succinct version of reality. His pain, the battle with cancer, is a perfectly captured nuance in every movement. Papademetriou is perfectly matched by Lawry, whose gives us a gentler, more open-minded and charitable Lewis. One who is never offended by Freud’s assaults on his beliefs. His moments of defensive physical re-grouping make for markers in the character’s journey. It is a perfect match of skill and performance. Of course no one wins this debate. Never have, never will.
The piece is beautifully realised in a set which is a period-piece replica of Freud’s study (Tyler Ray Hawkins). Freud has a collection of busts of long ago worshipped gods and goddesses, a sly reference his belief that the divine exists in the form we give it, for as long as we choose to give it. Emma Lockhart-Wilson’s gentle lighting adds a sepia-like poignant touch. Radio broadcasts and sirens and aircraft (Adam Jones) invade our space as much as they do Freud’s study.
Very few theatrical productions (and films) these days seek to engage us intellectually; most just most just want to assault our senses. It seems to have become about dazzling us, making us feel. But it is as important to remember to think and discuss robustly as well as feel, and surely this is a function of theatre. Director Hailey McQueen gives us a play which challenges us to fully engage our minds, not just our senses.
Rarely does one leave the theatre avidly discussing the ideas of the play. Everyone was. Such a compliment to both the writer and director.
This is a little gem of theatre. A very thorough intellectual experience. Do you dare? Do you believe? Get along to the Seymour Centre and be part of the debate.
Kate Stratford – On The Town
Clock & Spiel Productions presents FREUD’S LAST SESSION by Mark St. Germain
October 30 – November 10 | Tues – Sat 7.30pm plus Sat 2pm
Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre, City Rd, Chippendale
Duration: 70 minutes | Official trailer: https://youtu.be/zJPFbfsLtgo
Bookings: Ph 02 9351 7940 or www.seymourcentre.com
More info and bookings: www.clockandspielproductions.com/freuds
