Fran Gercke as CS Lewis and Robert Smyth as Sigmund Freud in “Freud’s Last Session” at Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado. (Photo: Nathan Peirson
“In the long run, nothing can withstand reason and experience, and the contradiction religion offers both is palpable.” —Sigmund Freud
By Eric George Tauber
CORONADO, California — In all likelihood, Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis never actually met. But what if they had…?
Two great minds, both respected scholars in their own right, hold two diametrically opposed worldviews. Lewis, a professor of classics at Oxford, was a devout Christian. These sentiments come through the themes of his Chronicles of Narnia and other books. Freud was an ardent Jewish atheist, rejecting the divine with the same fervor with which Lewis embraced it.
Interestingly, for the first half of his life, Lewis considered himself an atheist, using Freud’s reasoning to defend it. But after his “theophany” at age thirty-three, he lampooned Freud in his book, Pilgrim’s Regress.
This brings us to Freud’s study in London, 1939. The Reich has invaded Poland and war is imminent. Children are being evacuated from the city and ears turn intently to radios to hear what PM Chamberlain intends to do. When an air-raid siren goes off, Lewis’ PTSD from WWI kicks in. Throughout his adult life, he carried shrapnel in his chest, too close to the heart to be removed.
But Lewis hasn’t come for Freud’s help. Freud invited Lewis to understand how such an incisive and scholarly mind could succumb to the “delusion” of religious faith.
Lewis saw Satan as a hammer in the hand of a benevolent and severe God. Freud saw Satan as a scapegoat for the world’s ills blamed as conveniently as Hitler did the Jews.
Ironically, for all his rejection of a divine God, Freud fills his study with images of Buddha and the Greeks. Scenic Designer Brian Prather created a warm and inviting space with Persian rugs, floor-to-ceiling books and –of course- a comfy chaise lounge.
Fran Gercke is very likable as Lewis, sincere without being obnoxious or dogmatic. Robert Smyth’s Freud is angry and bitter with a kind of curmudgeonly charm. They had a great rapport on stage. It was especially interesting to watch Smyth, himself a devout Christian, argue so passionately from an atheist’s point of view.
In spite of their polemics, the two men genuinely admire each other. Each tries to gain insight into the other’s mind. Neither can win this tennis match, but the game is still worth playing.
Whether you’re a devotee or a skeptic, if you enjoy the sparring of two great minds, Freud’s Last Session will keep you engaged and give you plenty to think about.
Freud’s Last Session runs through May 17th at the Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado.
*
Tauber is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts. You may comment to him at eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com, or post your comment on this website, provided that the rules below are observed.
__________________________________________________________________
Care to comment? We require the following information on any letter for publication: 1) Your full name 2) Your city and state (or country) of residence. Letters lacking such information will be automatically deleted. San Diego Jewish World is intended as a forum for the entire Jewish community, whatever your political leanings. Letters may be posted below provided they are responsive to the article that prompted them, and civil in their tone. Ad hominem attacks against any religion, country, gender, race, sexual orientation, or physical disability will not be considered for publication. There is a limit of one letter per writer on any given day.
__________________________________________________________________