you are signorina colombina. i am colombina. do you know who i am? i have no idea. arlecchino-- - you, arlecchino? - me. - my husband. - my bride. - but you're nice. - but you're pretty. - what a lovely surprise. - what a relief. when did you arrive? ah, ah, ah, one thing at a time. by mid-18th century, carlo goldoni sought to preserve the best in the commedia dell'arte tradition by replacing each improvised scenario with a fully scripted playbook, which refined the commedia plot, the stock characters and the traditional bits of business. in the venetian twins, one of carlo goldoni's earliest plays, the stock characters are maintained in traditional costume. however, goldoni has eliminated the mask. it is significant that goldoni includes venice in this early play because he replaced the traveling wagons with a permanent theater building in venice. heaven keep you. the plot of the venetian twins is intricate and revolves around a favored commedia theme, mistaken identity. the twins, zanetto and tonino, are played by the same actor but are totally different in person

you are signorina colombina. i am colombina. - do you know who i am? - i have no idea. arlecchino-- - you, arlecchino. - me. - my husband. - my bride. - but you're nice. - but you're pretty. - what a lovely surprise. - what a relief. when did you arrive? ah, ah, ah one thing at a time. let's go into the house. we can talk there. oh. i must have a word with my mistress first before i take you into the house. stay there. i shall return immediately. yes, of course my beautiful one. i really just couldn't be any happier. go away with you you're poking fun of me. i'll make an honest girl of you. you will love me? yes. stop prolonging the agony. go on, in. i'm going, i'm going. he's really charming. whoo, fortune, i thank you. she's beautiful. she's the loveliest girl i've seen for years. what a risk i was taking. she might have had a squint, or no teeth. arlecchino, your luck's in. come on in. my mistress is delighted. [music] not a sign of the lady. i suppose they think the longer they keep me waiting, the more i'll pay. they can't know they're dealing with tonino bisognosi