This play is one of the last ones that Goldoni wrote for the theatres of the French capital. It explores a theme almost never presented by the Venetian author: magic. Humble cheese dealer Arlecchino leaves the city of Bergamo in secret, with the intent of committing suicide in the solitude of the woods. The reason, of course, is his belief that his wife Argentina is cheating on him. But the story is interrupted by a warlock, a mystic who proposes a solution to Arlecchino’s misfortunes: a magic ring of incredible power. Wearing it, our protagonist will forget everything, including his torments, and will be able to start anew and to fall in love with, the irony, Argentina, his wife. between misunderstandings, new romances and general confusion, Arlecchino will be declared insane and will start fight left and right until the final twist.
Running time 1h 20’ no interval
Cast and characters
- Stefano Rota Arlecchino, cheese dealer
- Davide Falbo Gendarme / Warlock
- Meredith Airò Farulla Amelia De Bisognosi, Rosaura’s mother *
- Lorenza Lombardi Fernanda, innkeeper / bandit
- Eleonora Marchiori Argentina, Rosaura’s maid and Arlecchino’s wife *
- Marlon Zighi Orbi Celio, Rosaura’s lover / bandit *
- Pierdomenico Simone Trappola, Celio’s servant
* Rosaura does not appear on stage