The SERVANT of TWO MASTERS

Original title: Il servitore di due padroni

Author: CARLO GOLDONI ( Venice 1707-1793)

 

The Servant of Two Masters is one of his earliest plays; it was written in 1743  The Italian theatre of that day was dominated by the improvising actors who wore the traditional masks, and in the original form of this play the comic scenes were left to the actor's own invention. The improvised Comedy of Masks, the history of which goes back to the days of ancient Rome, was frequently coarse and obscene.

 

THE STORY 

 

The play begins in the Venetian inn, where a party is underway to celebrate the engagement of Clarice, daughter of Pantalone, to Silvio, son of the Doctor  after learning that the promised husband was killed in a duel by Florindo, Beatrice's lover.

Florindo runs away, and Beatrice, in men's clothes, goes to Venice in search of the beloved.

Beatrice has a servant - Arlecchino - who secretly becomes Florindo's servant, causing a series of comic  misunderstandings and mix-ups.

In the end, all of the couples are set to be happily married.