THEATER REVIEW : Play Makes Annual Affair Seem Like an Acceptable Amusement : Once-a-year rendezvous for 24 years by a couple married to others provides plenty of laughs.

Among its other virtues, “Same Time, Next Year” makes an appealing case for adultery. That may be enough to attract audiences to the current production being presented in weekend matinees by the Conejo Players, directed by Patricia Adrian.

Bernard Slade’s Neil Simonish comedy follows a couple through more than 20 years: Meeting accidentally in 1951 while he is away from home on a business trip, they renew their affair every year thereafter. In the meantime, “Doris” and “George” continue perfectly satisfactory lives with their own spouses the other 364 days of the year. Whoopee!

There are changes in George’s and Doris’ lives during the 24 years encompassed by “Same Time, Next Year” as well as significant changes in politics and fashion. Watching the young lovers grow mentally and emotionally is one of the play’s stronger aspects; the more amusing one, though, is watching them switch, for instance, from business wear to hippie motley and back.

The weakness in Slade’s script comes from Doris and George communicating only during their annual assignations: thus, each has a major bomb to drop on the other from time to time. Surely a couple in this position would have found some way to communicate crucial events in their lives via mail or telephone.

Michael Ingram and Lou Ann Stephan are appealing actors who age convincingly from their mid-20s to late 40s, more or less, though the most dramatic physical transformation doesn’t come until the beginning of the second act, 1965 (up until then, the changing times are mainly reflected in Stephan’s evolving hairdos).

Though “Same Time, Next Year” is officially a two-character play, stage manager Greg Leitzel wins his share of laughs during set changes between scenes.

Details

* WHAT: “Same Time, Next Year.”

* WHERE: Conejo Players Theater, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

* WHEN: Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:30, through July 17.

* COST: All tickets $5.

* FYI: All seats are on a first come-first served basis, with no reservations accepted.

* ETC.: Call 495-3715.