Martin Rayner and Mark H. Dold. Photo: Kevin SpragueBy Lauren Yarger
In an imagined meeting between atheist-turned-Christian CS Lewis and atheist Sigmund Freud, author of modern psychiatry, the questions of God and faith are tested and analyzed in Mark St. Germain’s Freud’s Last Session getting a second-go Off Broadway at the West Side Y.
The play was inspired when Dr. Armand M Nicholi, Jr. asked in his book, “The Question of God,” whether the two men might have met. St. Germain decided to see what might have happened and set the play on Sept. 3, 1939 in Freud’s London study (sumptuously created by designer Brian Prather).
Freud (Martin Rayner), sick with cancer that has left him with a painful jaw/mouth prosthesis, is at the end of his career, while Lewis (Mark H. Dold) is just coming into prominence as a professor at Oxford (before he wrote his classics “The Screwtape Letters, “Mere Christianity” and “The Chronicles of Narnia” books among others). Lewis had written, however, “Pilgrim’s Regress,” an allegory in which he includes a character not unlike Freud, and the doctor of psychiatry asks the young author to pay a visit.
Freud’s main interest comes from not understanding how someone as intelligent as Lewis, who until eight years ago held the same atheist beliefs as he, could suddenly change his mind and become one of the “imbeciles” who believes in God.
A polite exchange ensues, with each asking questions and switching roles from analyst to patient with some questions about how their own relationships with their fathers influence how they see God the Father. The two spar in a friendly battle of words and brains as they try to explain their views on “science vs, religion,” sex and how God could allow suffering, among other topics, with little hope that the other will be persuaded. Freud has to admit, that atheism appeals to his “desire not to be told what to do” and Lewis has to admit that the “biggest problem with Christianity is Christians.”
The intellectual battle takes place against the backdrop of the beginning of World War II with radio addresses by Prime Minister Chamberlain (Beth Lake, sound design) giving the discussions about life and death heightened meaning for the two men. Both actors give solid performances (Rayner is so believable as the sickly and pain-riddled Freud, that it’s a real relief to see him full of good health at the curtain call.)
It’s interesting stuff, but doesn’t get too preachy or deep in exploring the various issues. Director Tyler Marchant keeps the 75-minute piece tightly paced. Audience members will find themselves cheering on their champion depending what side of the controversy they’re on, but the battle isn’t clearly won, as St. Germain leaves room for discussion and debate for those having seen the show.
Freud’s Last Session runs at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater, West Side Y, 10 West 64th Street, NYC. Performances are Tuesdays at 7 pm, Wednesday through Friday at 8pm, Saturdays at 2 and 8 pm and Sundays at 3 and 7 pm. Tickets are $65 and are available by calling 866-811-4111 or at http://www.freudslastsession.com/. A limited number of $20 Student Rush tickets (cash only, with valid student ID) will be available at the box office beginning three hours prior to each performance.
Christians might also like to know:
• Lewis on marriage/sex sounds a little politically correct, but overall, no big worries. Bring friends, enjoy the show, then discuss!
I totally agree with your review, including your comment about the response by Lewis on sex/marriage that is vague enough to be politically correct. I ordered the script to study the repartee. However, the book you mentioned, The Question of God, by psychiatrist Armand Nicholi, on which it is based, goes much deeper, and would be a great resource for an adult group discussion--one chapter at a time. Thanks for this review!!
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