THEATER REVIEW / ‘THE FOX’ : A Must-Catch : Arts Council Center’s production boasts a strong cast and a sure-footed adaptation of the D.H. Lawrence novella.

British authoH. Lawrence, who died some 60 years ago, was too advanced for his era. His most famous novel, “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” was banned as pornography until the ‘50s; upon its release, Lawrence’s abilities were finally acknowledged by the general public.

His 1922 novella “The Fox” was ahead of its time as well, and even today is stronger fare than most television, and much of what you’ll find in the movies.

Adapted for the stage by Allan Miller, “The Fox” is now playing at the Arts Council Center in Thousand Oaks. It’s one of Ventura County’s few must-see stage productions of 1992.

Toni Beery, familiar to Arts Council Center audiences from her performances in “Last Summer at Bluefish Cove,” “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Le Dindon,” among other shows, has formed the O For a Muse production company (named from the prologue to “Henry V”). “The Fox,” directed by Laurie Johnson, is its first presentation.

Two women in their 30s live on an English farm as World War I is ending. Their relationship is frowned upon by the townsfolk, so Nellie and Jill keep as much to themselves as possible. The farm is not doing well: The hens won’t lay eggs, and a fox is creeping around the henhouse, causing no end of destruction.

Enter Henry, 25 years old, just back from battle, and claiming to be searching for his grandfather, the farm’s now-deceased former owner. When he offers to do yard work, to kill the marauding fox and to get the hens to lay, Jill insists that they take Henry in, until it’s time for him to return home to Canada. Nellie is not so sure. Complications ensue.

Lawrence slathers the symbolism on with a trowel: Henry’s position in all this wouldn’t be more obvious had he entered wearing pointed ears, a sharp snout and a long, bushy tail. Jill is the passive, flirtatious and feminine half of the couple; cooking and keeping house while Nellie--literally--wears the pants in the family.

Relationships twist and turn for a couple of hours, and the play’s conclusion is likely to keep members of the audience debating all the way home. The play is tragic, and often very funny. Who could ask for anything more?

Director Laurie Johnson promises to be a real addition to the Ventura County theater scene; her handling of this sometimes tricky property couldn’t be more confident.

All three members of the cast are terrific, and well matched. Tall and blonde, Beery plays the dominant Nellie, with Yvonne Golomb (the fiery Spanish woman in “Le Dindon”) as the more dowdy Jill; Nellie seethes quietly while Jill invites Henry to stay.

John Battle plays Henry, a sociopath so thoroughly rotten and manipulative that it won’t be surprising if members of the audience form a lynch committee. He eases into it, though, presenting a charming enough face to fool Jill, at least, even though Nellie has him figured out.

Or is that the case?

And, come to think of it, if the women weren’t so self-absorbed, would Henry get away with what he does?

* WHERE AND WHEN

“The Fox” continues through Dec. 13 at the Arts Council Center, 482 Greenmeadow Drive in Thousand Oaks. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 7 p.m. Admission is $9, or $8 for students and seniors. The theater is very small, and reservations are recommended. For reservations or information, call 499-4355.