‘World’ a delightful restoration comedy

Actress Veanne Cox and restoration comedy were made for each other. After making an inspired local debut in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of “The Beaux’ Stratagem” last year, Cox now tops that triumph with her wickedly funny star turn in the Shakespeare Theatre’s current offering, William Congreve’s 1700 comedy “The Way of the World.”

The rest of the cast, which includes some of the area’s most talented players — Nancy Robinette, Floyd King, Andrew Long, Colleen Delany, Julie-Ann Elliott, J. Fred Shiffman and Todd Scofield — aren’t too shabby either (Long makes a wonderfully oily villain in the George Saunders tradition), but when Cox makes her entrance at the half-hour mark, she deliciously dominates the proceedings.

Cox plays Millamant, a wealthy young woman in love with Mirabell (Christopher Innvar), but she is in danger of losing her inheritance if she marries without the consent of her Aunt Wishfort (Robinette), who despises the rakish suitor. Mirabell concocts an elaborate ruse to win Wishfort’s blessing, but the scheme is foiled by Fainell (Long), husband to Wishfort’s daughter (Barbara Garrick) and lover to Marwood (Deanne Lorette), who has his own plan to make off with both his wife’s and her aunt’s fortunes.