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Michael Arditti by the statue of Freud at the museum in Maresfield Gardens |
Chatting round at Sigmund’s
Six writers with their own take on the father of psychoanalysis are to discuss their work at his former home, writes
Dan Carrier
THEY are the kind of guests the ghost of Sigmund Freud would welcome, if he were stalking the corridors of the Hampstead home where he spent the final years of his life.
A group of leading writers will be talking about their work throughout 2008 in a programme put together by Michael Arditti.
The author and former theatre critic, who lives in Primrose Hill, has been appointed artist in residence at the Freud Museum in Hampstead and, as part of his year-long tenure, he has invited six literary figures to discuss their work.
It is a line-up Arditti believes Freud would have been proud to see gracing his sitting room.
“Some of Freud’s own case studies resemble short novels,” he says. “He was immensely interested in literature and writers and many of his terms came from literature: for example, his writings on the Oedipus Complex.
“I think Freud would be delighted to think that in his house and in his name there was this series discussing creativity,” he adds.
“He once wrote a paper called Creative Writers and Day Dreaming, in which he considers the creative process: this is what this series does.”
Arditti has just finished his sixth novel, The Enemy of the Good, which is due for release next spring.
It studies the differences between liberalism and fundamentalism in religion through the eyes of one large family. His novel Easter has also recently been re-issued and with one book sitting at his publishers he is ready to spend a summer looking at other writers’ work.
Novelist turned biographer Miranda Seymour is April’s guest, and Arditti plans to quiz her on the different techniques she uses to write biography and novels.
“Her range is vast, from literary biographies of the likes of Ottoline Morrell through to the life of a French racing driver,” he says.
Seymour’s recent book, In My Father’s House, which uncovers her father’s story, gives her talk at the Freud Museum added significance.
“Her consideration of her father’s life has a Freudian aspect to it,” says Arditti.
Drawing partly on his own lifelong dedication to the theatre (he served as the Evening Standard’s critic for many years), Arditti has also invited dramatist Timberlake Wertenbaker to discuss her work.
“The difference between writing characters for the stage and for a novel is immense: you have the chance for your characters to use monologues in a way you don't in novels,” says Arditti.
Jonathan Miller wrote a book on Freud in 1972 and will bring his experience as a theatre director with him.
But another reason Arditti approached him was because of his medical training. Miller is a qualified neurologist.
“It will be interesting to hear his views on Freud from both the perspective of a creative artist and also as a medically trained doctor,” says Arditti. “He has a great understanding of the biological workings of the mind.”
Fay Weldon has also agreed to take part.
“Her novels have been so important,” says Arditti. “Her work has reached so many people – she has created ideas that go beyond the literary public. She manages to be serious about hugely important subjects, yet populist. Her name has become a genre in its own right.”
Novelist Amanda Craig will be discussing myths in literature – a theme that Freud would have warmed to, says Arditti: “She brings in ideas of myth-making and has recently re-worked A Midsummer Night’s Dream into a contemporary setting. Her views on the human imagination would undoubtedly interest Freud.”
The series finishes with a talk by Deborah Moggach.
“I approached Deborah as I am a fan of her novels,” says Arditti.
“She often discusses issues that are relevant today through her historical novels, and her research into the past for her fiction is fascinating.
“But she also writes screenplays and the challenge of converting other people’s works for the screen interests me, too, as does the demands of producing commercially viable films.”
• The Creative Journey series starts on Thursday April 24, hosted by Michael Arditti with Miranda Seymour at 7pm. £12 (£10 Friends). The Freud Museum, 20 Maresfield Gardens, NW3. For full details call 020 7435 2002. |
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