THEATER REVIEW:

Not every comedy written more than 60 years ago is still as funny today as it must have been back then, unless you’re talking about Philip King’s “See How They Run,� which seems to get more hilarious with each viewing — even if you can quote the lines before the actors do.

The Newport Theater Arts Center discovered this three decades ago when the theater mounted its first rendition of the play. And now they’re at it again, with a comedic vengeance.

The laughs don’t come from King’s dialogue so much as they do from the outrageous antics of the performers, chasing one another around an English vicarage (one in his underwear), brandishing fireplace pokers and falling tipsily out of closets.

Timing, as they say, is everything, and director Yvonne Robertson’s energetic bunch turns it into an art form.

The story, written in 1942 and first glimpsed on these shores in 1949, centers around a vicar’s wife — an American actress (Stacy Snyder) striving for propriety but seldom succeeding — and her stuffy clergyman husband (Michael Keeney).

Mix in a Yank Air Force chap with whom the wife once toured in “Private Lives� (Ayal Willner) and the fun begins.

Comedy turns swiftly to farce with the arrival of the snooty (and snotty) Miss Skillon (Harriet Whitmyer).

Handing this role to an actress is much like tossing raw meat to a tiger, and Whitmyer, who has few peers in physical comedy, tears into it with gusto.

She gleans the most laughs out of what seems like the fewest lines.

Snyder and Willner take charge of advancing the plot as they recreate a scene from “Private Lives� that sends Whitmyer tumbling, setting up a running gag — literally. Snyder is excellent, fervently resisting efforts to domesticate her, while Willner squirms uncomfortably in borrowed clerical garb, frantically seeking his uniform as events unfold around him.

As the vicar husband, Michael Keeney maintains an air of contrasting dignity, even while dashing about in his drawers. Hopefully, he’ll survive the run of the play without catching pneumonia, as the theater’s temperature resembles that of a meat locker.

An eye-catching Ida, the vicarage maid, is nicely enacted by Zoe Haddon, who brings a natural English accent to the production. Gordon Marhoefer is properly outraged as the no-nonsense bishop, while George Kondreck skillfully underplays the role of the timid visiting vicar.

Stirring up a bit of cold war conflict is Gary Spangler as an escaped Russian prisoner who also dons clerical clothing and joins the chase. Michael Durack ties things up solidly as the police sergeant on the Russkie’s trail.

The well-appointed vicarage setting, designed by Andrew Otero, lends an air of musty authenticity. Mitch Atkins and Brian Page handle the effective sound and lighting duties, respectively.

“See How They Run� is a favorite of many local theater groups, and the Newport Theater Arts Center production illustrates its hilarious potential. You’ll be laughing at this one all the way home.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: “See How They Run�

WHERE: Newport Theater Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays until Dec. 14

COST: $15

CALL: (949) 631-0288

Stacy Snyder, Harriet Whitmyer and Ayal Willner (from left) have an animated difference of opinion in “See How They Run� at the Newport Theater Arts Center.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays.