Pacific Theatre to Present FREUD'S LAST SESSION, April 24-May 30

History and fantasy collide in this imagined meeting between two of the twentieth century's greatest minds: Sigmund Freud and CS Lewis. Pacific Theatre's production of Freud's Last Session by Mark St. Germain takes a few pieces of historical trivia and weaves them into a fascinating and compelling discourse on life's greatest questions: sex, love, the existence of God, and the meaning of life.

On September 3, 1939, Britain declared war on Germany and Sigmund Freud (mere weeks away from his death by assisted suicide) had an appointment on his books with "an Oxford professor". At the same time, CS Lewis' star was rising in Oxford's theology department, and, as a late-in-life convert, he was quickly becoming one of Christianity's most outspoken advocates. Freud, devoted to scientific research and atheism, could not understand why someone so intelligent could accept the insidious lie of religion.

"When I first heard about the show during its Off-Broadway run, I knew it was perfect for Pacific Theatre," says Artistic Director Ron Reed, playing the role of Freud in this production, "The way it tackles big questions: we love to get our audiences thinking, and talking."

Not only does Freud's Last Session dive into the ongoing hot topics of sex, God, and the meaning of life, but it explores the current Canadian question of right to life. Freud suffered from oral cancer and had his upper palate removed. On Sept. 23, 1939 (20 days after the play's activities), he chose death by assisted suicide - in the play he clearly states that he and his doctor have a pact, and that "he will kill himself before the cancer does."

Freud's Last Session features two actors who have previously played CS Lewis on the Pacific Theatre stage - Ron Reed in his Jessie-nominated turn in Shadowlands, and Evan Frayne in The Great Divorce, the same year he won the Sam Payne Award for Most Promising Newcomer.

Artistic Team: Directed by Morris Ertman. Featuring Ron Reed and Evan Frayne. Set Design by Carolyn Rapanos. Lighting Design by John Webber. Costume Design by Catrina Jackson. Sound Design by Luke Ertman. Stage Management by April Starr Land.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION by Mark St. Germain When: Apr 24-May 30, Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm, 2pm Saturday matinees at the Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave (at Hemlock), Vancouver, BC. Tickets: $19.99-29.99 (not incl. taxes or fee), to book visit pacifictheatre.org or call 604.731.551.

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