Dr Freud Will See You Now, Mrs Hitler - Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre

As a child, young Adolf Hitler went through a worrying period of night terrors and bed-wetting. Desperate to make her son better, Mrs. Hitler took him to see a doctor who recommended a certain Dr. Freud. Mr. Hitler, however, was seriously opposed to the idea. Now imagine this scenario: Mr. Hitler never opposed the meeting and young Adolf ended up in the office of one of the pioneers of psychoanalysis. What, if anything, would have happened differently?

In this horrifyingly thought-provoking piece by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the audience is invited to explore the psyche of one of history’s most vile human beings. It would be easy to assume that therapy might have helped him process his childhood trauma and recognise that his antisemitic ideals were unreasonable at best. But this is no idealistic scenario. Instead, the play grounds itself in realism, ultimately leading to the chilling realisation that we cannot know what might have happened if Adolf had ended up on Dr. Freud’s couch.

Photography: Chromolume

The performances delivered by Jonathan Tafler and Sam Mac, in the roles of Dr. Freud and Hitler respectively, were nothing short of impressive. Performing such an emotionally charged script is, at best, challenging, but both actors seemed to take it on with such ease and gravitas that the audience could not help but feel entirely immersed in the production.

The show follows Hitler’s story from his childhood through to the Second World War, exploring how the presence of Dr. Freud might have impacted several phases of his life.

Each meeting is set roughly a decade apart, suggesting a grounding, if unlikely, relationship between the two opposing characters. Sam Mac’s portrayal of the heinous figure was chilling, as he occasionally showed hints of affection towards Freud—despite his Jewish faith—while remaining resolute in his toxic ideals. These fleeting glimpses of humanity made the inevitable outcome all the more terrifying.

Jonathan Tafler, as Dr. Freud, provided a calm counterbalance. His performance blended reason and compassion, with touches of humour woven into otherwise weighty dialogue. The audience could not help but grow attached to this Freud, who did everything in his power to understand and mediate the ever-growing ego of such an imposing figure as Hitler.

One could not help but notice the contrast in the depth of dialogue between the two characters. While Dr. Freud was given long, thoughtful lines, Hitler’s dialogue often felt comparatively shallow. This may well have been intentional, but at times the delivery created uneven moments in conversation. The momentum built by Tafler was occasionally interrupted by Mac’s character, resulting in a few pacing issues.

Photography: Chromolume

The set design by Hannah Danson is intentionally modest, relying primarily on a wooden table and an Ottoman couch. Within the context of the production, this simplicity worked to great effect, evoking Freud’s consulting room with ease while also ensuring that transitions between scenes remained smooth and unobtrusive. The pared-back approach allowed the audience to focus on the dialogue and performances without distraction, proving that even minimal staging can create a convincing and immersive atmosphere.

In the end, this show succeeds in forcing the audience to confront an uncomfortable question: can even the darkest of minds be understood—or changed—through compassion and psychoanalysis? While it wisely avoids offering a definitive answer, the production leaves its viewers with a lingering sense of unease and a renewed awareness of how fragile the boundaries are between reason and fanaticism. Despite some minor pacing issues, this show is thought-provoking, unsettling, and expertly performed.

Production Value: 70%

Value for Money: 80%

Personal Enjoyment: 75%

Overall Score: 75% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: Upstairs At The Gatehouse Theatre, London

Run Time: 2h - including a 20-minute interval

Ticket prices starting from £25 can be found on the show's official website. Click the link here to book online.