This adaptation of Carlo Goldoni's 18th-century comedy The Venetian Twins quickly earned a reputation as one of the most boisterous, vibrant and irreverent works of Australian musical theatre following its initial season at the Sydney Opera House for the Nimrod Theatre Company in 1979. Rooted firmly in Commedia dell'arte yet unashamedly influenced by Kurt Weill, Donizetti and countless others in between, The Venetian Twins is an inspired piece of mayhem and musical pastiche.
TERENCE CLARK is known as a director, composer, pianist, actor, musical director, dramaturg and teacher. He was founding Artistic Director of the Hunter Valley Theatre Company; Associate Director of the National Theatre Company, Perth; Artistic Director of the Australian National Playwrights' Centre; and Head of Directing at NIDA. His musical collaborations for the stage include Flash Jim Vaux (with Ron Blair), and the award winning Variations and Summer Rain (both with Nick Enright).
NICK ENRIGHT (1950–2003) trained for the theatre at New York University School of Arts after early experience in Australia including with Nimrod and MTC. He was an actor, director and teacher as well as a writer. His plays include On the Wallaby, Daylight Saving, St James Infirmary, Mongrels, A Property of the Clan, The Quartet from Rigoletto, Blackrock, Good Works, Spurboard and A Man with Five Children. With Justin Monjo he adapted Tim Winton's Cloudstreet for the stage. He has also written for film and television, including co-writing with George Miller the screenplay for Lorenzo's Oil which was nominated for an Oscar. He has written a number of musicals including The Venetian Twins and Summer Rain with composer Terence Clarke. He wrote the book for the Australian production of The Boy From Oz. Among many awards were two Green Room Awards for Best Play, and four Gold AWGIE Awards, the 1998 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award and the NSW Premiers' Special Award. As well as being a prolific writer, Enright was a noted acting teacher, particularly at NIDA and WAAPA.
| Cast Info | 3F, 7M |
| Genres | Adaptations, Comedy, Musicals / plays with music |
| Themes | - |
| Audiences | Adult, Secondary: Years 10-12 |
| Extent | 60 |
| Edition | Standard |
| Size | 210 x 137 |