This remounted Soulpepper production of The Odd Couple, Neil Simon’s well-known play about two unlikely roommates who operate at opposite extremes of cleanliness is a reminder of the importance of comedy. The play pokes fun at modern masculinity; from the hilarious opening poker game scene in which an ensemble cast of well-seasoned actors squirm at the prospect of coaxing their friend Felix (whose marriage has just fallen apart) out of a suicide attempt, the script (and its iconic title) forewarns male bonding in addition to laughs.

Albert Schulz and Diego Matamoros are outstanding as Oscar and Felix, two newly-divorced men hiding their loneliness behind forced personalities of Ladies Man and Mother Hen, respectively. Schulz’s Oscar is a pleasure to watch as he amiably welcomes friends to his grimy apartment, dropping potato chips as he plods about; backwards baseball cap and a boyish smirk complete his portrayal as a sports-writer living on his own. He’s even more of a pleasure to watch after he begins to share his space with Matamoros’ neurotic but self-aware Felix, a man of countless idiosyncrasies who whines with a whisk in his hand.

They’re a couple so odd that an audience may have doubted the probability of any relationship between them were it not for some help from their very old friends, onstage and off: Vinny (Derek Boyes), Roy (Kevin Bundy), Murray (Oliver Dennis) and the sarcastic Speed (Michael Hanrahan). These pros are sly scene-stealers whose vivid portrayals of minor characters serve to shape and strengthen the surprising friendship between Felix and Oscar. The impressive set, designed by Lorenzo Savoini, is another highlight, particularly after Felix moves in and starts to tidy it up a little.

The Odd Couple by Neil Simon runs at Soulpepper until November 19. Directed by Stuart Hughes.