Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis could not have been further apart on the ideological spectrum. But in the play “Freud’s Last Session”, performed in Carbondale next week, the two minds come together to discuss some of life’s biggest questions.
In the “Chronicles of Narnia”, Aslan the lion is often interpreted as an allegory to God. C.S. Lewis said he was not an allegory at all, but actually what he called an “incarnation” of Christ. Lewis was a very religious man. But another writer of the time had very different thoughts.
Sigmund Freud called religious people the victim of an illusion. They were looking for a father figure he said.
And though there is not specific historical account of a meeting between the writers, the two minds come together in the Thunder River Theater Company’s production of “Freud’s Last Session”.
“They go ‘oh, Freud and Lewis? What could possibly be entertaining about that?’" says Bob Moore, the actor who plays Freud. "The play focuses on who they are as individuals, not on who they are as historical figures.”
Moore looks pretty much exactly like the man he plays. Corey Simpson looks like the man he plays. C.S. Lewis.
“You do have these people that are completely on opposite ends of the spectrum, and yet you see them over and over again find moments where they do indeed enjoy one another’s company,” says Simpson.
This fictional meeting takes place right at the start of World War II. Radio broadcasts tell the story of the Nazi blitz. Lewis and Freud comment on what they are witnessing.
In the show Freud is in the late stages of his life. He is fighting a painful battle with cancer. Simpson says even though the characters are so opposed, they are still able to celebrate the joy.
“I think that idea transcends any one spiritual belief system, and so my way into this character and considering how Freud looks at that idea as well,” says Simpson.
Wendy Moore is the director of the play. She says the themes presented in the show are especially relevant today.
“Here are two people who completely disagree and yet for 90 minutes they talk, and they listen.”
The show opens next week.
