The Odd Couple (Melbourne Theatre Company)

Pairing long-time comedy compadres Shaun Micallef and Francis Greenslade in a staging of Neil Simon's 1965 play The Odd Couple is one of those concepts that makes you slap your forehead and bellow 'Well, duh!'

It is, of course, always good to see the two working together, but casting the urbane but goofy Micallef and the endearingly rumpled Greenslade as mismatched roommates Felix and Oscar is an inspired move. That said, it may have been even more inspired to cast the two against type, with Micallef playing the sloppy Oscar and Greenslade the uptight Felix - this was actually considered at one stage, Micallef informed me. 

But a reassuring predictability is part of The Odd Couple's appeal, especially half a century after it was first staged, so it makes sense that the two actors slip into the characters that snugly fit their personas as performers. That reassuring predictability is also the reason the play about two divorced men sharing a New York City apartment gets revived often and why it was adapted into a well-loved movie (ok, and a misbegotten sequel) and, not once but twice, a successful sitcom.

It has a rock-solid premise (Oscar and Felix can't live with each other, can't live without each other) that's garnished with a wealth of Simon's sharp Borscht Belt zingers (Oscar calls the persnickety Felix "the only man in the world with clenched hair") and clever gag construction (a set-up will have its payoff five to 10 minutes later).

And while it's square and showing its age a little, one could argue that, for a mid-1960s play, it was pretty progressive in its depiction of men addressing and expressing their feelings and fears. Indeed, there are times when this Melbourne Theatre Company production of The Odd Couple feels, well, kinda woke.

The only two female characters - played at full flibbertigibbet by Michala Banas and Christie Whelan Browne - may counter that notion somewhat, but there's no malice or even condescension in the creation of these characters.

The good work of these two actresses and the fine line-up of supporting actors aside, it's really Micallef and Greenslade punters will be lining up for, and they make it worthwhile.

While he gets to make the most of some fine scenes of blustery frustration, Greenslade is the straight man here, something he does with deft underplaying and great generosity.   

And Micallef is a treat, giving his Felix a lanky, loping physicality and a Woody Allen-esque whine of a voice. It's a crowd-pleasing performance in a crowd-pleasing play.

The Melbourne Theatre Company presents The Odd Couple, at the Southbank Theatre until 21 Dec.