I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE satisfies with a timely suspense and sudden romance

Just in time for the spooky season, Albion Theatre brings St. Louis audiences the satisfying twists and uncertainties of J.B. Priestly’s I Have Been Here Before. With well-drawn and acted characters and strong direction by CJ Langdon and Robert Ashton, the time-bending romance offers audiences a bit of mystery and suspense, with a surprisingly sweet ending. 

Sally Pratt cooks, cleans, and runs the Black Bull Inn, a homey place owned by Sam Shipley, in a small English town. There’s currently one longer term guest, Oliver Farrant, headmaster at a prestigious school in the area. A group of three women is expected to arrive this evening, so Pratt, unnerved by the arrival of Dr. Görtler and his questions about what guests are booked at the inn, turns away the gentleman. The women cancel unexpectedly, freeing up the rooms for the wealthy Walter Ormund, his noticeably younger wife Janet, and Görtler, who, unsurprisingly, returns. 

Walter Ormund is a successful businessman who drinks just as hard as he works, leaving his wife yearning for attention and affection – and yet still astonished when she finds herself inexplicably attracted to Farrant. Will Janet succumb, does Farrant share her affection, what will happen to Ormund, and how did Görtler know about this sudden love triangle before it happened? The guests and their hosts have three days, and the audience three very quick-moving acts, to find out.

Anna Langdon and Robert Ashton are down-to-earth and hardworking as Pratt and Shipley, although Shipley may spend a little too much time at the inn’s bar. Langdon gives Pratt a suspicious and watchful eye, skillfully moving between pampering Farrant, kowtowing to the wealthy and powerful Ormunds, and treating the foreign Görtler with skepticism and distrust. Ashton’s Shipley is more accepting, particularly if a guest joins him in the bar. Garrett Bergfeld, as Dr. Görtler, is all scholarly thoughts and contradictions; he keeps copious notes and is eager to expound on his theory of time as something that is a continuous spiral but can be impertinent and dismissive of others. Görtler’s discussions with Farrant, played with intellectual curiosity and unaffected charm by Duston Petrillo, illuminate both characters. Though Farrant firmly rejects Gortler’s theories, Petrillo shows that he thoroughly enjoys the discussion, at least initially. When Farrant and Janet confess their feelings for each other, something is awakened in the young man, and Petrillo convincingly moves from hesitancy to certainty with newfound determination.

Bryn McLaughlin and Jeff Kargas portray Janet and Walter Ormund, two people who may have once been in love but are now trying to determine if their marriage is worth saving. As Janet, McLaughlin purrs and pouts to get her husband to put work aside for just a few hours, but she’s left wanting. While she’s clearly unhappy, her sudden, almost desperate love for Farrant both delights and pains her terribly, and McLaughlin wears those emotions on her sleeve. Kargus gives Walter Ormund a surface likeability, though he’s drowned his feelings in drink and devoted most of his energy to building his business and wealth. There’s something about the inn that feels familiar to the couple – though they swear they’ve never been there before –Janet feels an uncertain thrill and comfort; her husband feels a disturbing darkness. 

I Have Been Here Before is one of several plays by Priestly that looks at a theory of time. That theory and its unexpected twists, as well as solid and engaging performances, ensure that the play keeps the audience involved and a little uncertain of the plot’s outcome. Albion Theatre, which focuses on British and Irish plays and playwrights, has once again scored a win with this production. A fun show for all except the youngest audiences, if you like romance and a bit of suspense, this entertaining and quick-moving play is sure to hit the spot like a good cup of tea.