Outstanding fiddle-faddle

Astounding craft abounds in “Ferdydurke,” which ends its Odyssey Theatre Ensemble engagement Wednesday. Although specialized, this 1998 adaptation of Polish literary giant Witold Gombrowicz’s classic first novel is an outstanding specimen of absurdist theater at its most assured.

Co-produced by the Odyssey and Arden 2, the Society for the Promotion of International Theater Exchange and Dialogue, for this year’s Gombrowicz centenary, “Ferdydurke” is the joint product of the Lublin-based companies Teatr Provisorium and Teatr Kompania. The collaboration of these celebrated alternative troupes dates from 1996, leading to “Ferdydurke,” which received its West Coast premiere in 2000 at City Garage.

Gombrowicz, Poland’s most influential 20th century writer, wrote “Ferdydurke” in 1937, eliciting both overnight success and scandal. The dissident viewpoint and humor resulted in its suppression in Poland after Gombrowicz had fled to Argentina. Meanwhile, “Ferdydurke” developed an underground reputation as an innovative masterwork. The definitive English-language translation came with Danuta Borchardt’s version (published in 2000), from which Allen J. Kuharski adapted his stage scenario.

The title (pronounced fer-dih-DORK-eh) is Polish for “fiddle-faddle.” which certainly describes its acerbic wordplay, social philosophy and schoolyard excess. The vaguely Faustian narrative follows writer Joseph (co-director Witold Mazurkiewicz), who reverts to adolescence under the machinations of his devilish former literature professor (Jacek Brzezinski).

Renewed immaturity catches Joseph between his teacher and fellow students Mietus (Jaroslaw Tomica) and Syfon (Michal Zgiet). Vulgarity and lofty idealism duke it out with carnal realities and the tyranny of convention. Joseph and Mietus wind up fleeing to the country estate of Joseph’s uncle (Brzezinski), where masochistic servant Walek (Zgiet) and ironic reversals await.

Gombrowicz’s multilayered, self-reflective prose is ungainly dramatic fodder. However, in the hands of Mazurkiewicz and co-director Janusz Oprynski, this 75-minute compression conveys the essentials with aplomb.

The artificial, hyperphysical style evokes the Marx Brothers and Bil Baird’s Marionettes as much as Jerzy Grotowski and the Three Stooges. The clockwork intellectual slapstick evolves into high-toned satire with lowbrow appeal and a unique emotional tug.

Jerzy Rudzki’s skeletal setting of metal frame surrounding an antique school bench supplies symbolism without ostentation. Oprynski and Jan Szamryk achieve dense lighting and sound effects with minimal tools, and Borys Somerschaf’s original music is aching and acrid by turns.

The cast is beyond praise, cleanly articulating through their accents and astonishing in their control. “Ferdydurke” will not be for everyone, but Gombrowicz fans and every avant-garde artist in town should reserve immediately.

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‘Ferdydurke’

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Where: Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A.

When: 8 p.m. today through Wednesday

Price: $20

Contact: (310) 477-2055 or www.odysseytheatre.com

Running time: 1 hour, 15 minutes