It’s hard to put a finger on what exactly doesn’t gel in Folger Theater’s The School For Scandal. The performers, by and large are first rate — we have Kate Eastwood Norris, she of the impeccable comic timing, as the social-climbing Lady Teazle, and David Sabin as her husband, blustering conspiratorially to the audience at her antics. When it comes to playwrights, Sheridan’s no slouch, and it’s at times surprising how well the 18th century work’s slapstick and satire holds up over time.

But there are a few too many nagging distractions for the whole thing to come together. Director Richard Clifford has cast, for example, Tom Story as the devilish dame Lady Sneerwell, queen among gossips, but the move wouldn’t feel as much like stunt casting if Story seemed a bit more comfortable in the part — it’s like he can’t decide whether to go completely over the top or play it straight (so to speak). Sheridan’s language is clever, but the plot machinations aren’t twisty enough to really leave any doubt what’s going to happen when curtain comes up after intermission. And why does the first act seem so damn long?

Still, there’s more to like than sneer about in School — Norris’ and Sabin’s sparring may never reach the level of wordplay of a Beatrice and Benedict-style affair, but it’s still very amusing to watch the pair play off each other. Laura C. Harris, who plays the naive Maria, just about the only female in the work who finds nothing fun about backbiting, has a fairly short resume, but her fine work as the play’s moral compass shows her as an actress on the rise. And a great contrast to her is Catherine Flye as the shameless Mrs. Candour, who manages to make a speech impediment-driven gag remain funny throughout.