‘Can one say the same thing twice?’ we are asked, twice, as the lights come up on the single figure on the stage of St John’s Auditorium. Through our ever-present narrator Constantin Constantius (Andrew Thayer) we follow the story of Kierkegaard (David Egan) as he falls in love, becomes engaged and changes his mind at the last minute - based on true events. The first of three acts, set in 1843 Copenhagen, is made up of numerous short scenes in which Kierkegaard comes to Constantin for advice. In each Kierkegaard exclaims ‘I love her’ though it is clear that neither the expression nor meaning are repeated from one scene to the next. An elegant portrayal of a simple point: that repetition is impossible and that our memories are as rose tinted as the lighting used for his young love. A simple set, two chairs and hat stand, help to centre one’s attention on the dialogue and concepts, which is much needed.

Constantin returns to Copenhagen and to parting letters from Kierkegaard. ‘Oh dear, he’s turning to religion!’ exclaims Thayer (a vicar in real life) whose strong performance steers us through the evening with real engagement, which is, unlike Kierkegaard’s, fulfilling. Egan too as his bouncy, pitiful, self-indulgent friend played the transition from lovestruck goon to alienated shell with skill and pathos. The cast roundly did a great job, with a special mention for Marc Pacitti, whose chameleonic performances as Franz Moor, Johannes Faust and the cheeky chappy in the Berlin farce brought some much needed light heartedness, having a knowing joke at the expense of corrupt bankers and morally bankrupt members of the clergy.

Of course Repetition can’t be repeated, but the same players will say mostly the same words tonight (26th Apr) at St John’s College Auditorium.