ACT ONE
Brothers, Marco & Giuseppe Palmieri have decided it is time to get married! Although they share their favours among all the Contadine, they have two especially in mind. The Contadine gather to meet the prospective bridegrooms. The young men are to make their choice. In a show of impartiality Marco & Giuseppe are blindfolded and set to catch a bride. Despite their friends attempts to ensure that all is fair, the two brothers capture the very girls they wanted. Although the rest of the Contadine are unhappy to have lost the two most eligible bachelors, everyone hurries off to the church for the marriage ceremony which it is planned to take place before midday.
The Duke of Plaza-Toro, although an hidalgo of 95 quarterings, is down on his luck but is feeling flush on an advance from his new company The Duke of Plaza-Toro Limited. He is visiting Venice with his wife and daughter accompanied by their only servant, Luiz. The Duke leads his party to the home of the Grand Inquisitor, Don Alhambra del Bolero. This sepulchral gentleman is the bearer of some vital information. It would appear that the usurper King of Barataria has died and it is imperative that the rightful King takes up his reign as soon as possible. At the time of the insurrection the Grand Inquisitor had spirited away the infant king and hidden him in Venice until he was old enough to reclaim his throne. The king had been brought up by a local gondolier, the father of Marco & Giuseppe, as if his own. Unfortunately, frequently drunk, he could never quite remember which of his children was the king. Casilda, the Duke's daughter, is horrified to discover that she was betrothed to the king in infancy and that the Plaza-Toro's visit is in order to claim her place as Queen. Being Queen would be wonderful, but not knowing that she was already betrothed, she has fallen in love with Luiz - the drummer boy. This affair must remain secret, now that she is to meet her husband of 20 years.
The newly wedded Gondoliers return from the church to be greeted by the Grand Inquisitor. Don Alhambra informs Marco & Giuseppe that one of them is the King of Barataria. The brothers are staunch republicans, but as they can give all their friends the top jobs, they agree to go to Barataria and reign jointly until it can be determined which of them is not a Palmieri. Unfortunately they must leave the girls behind. After a sad farewell, the Gondoliers leave for their new life.

ACT TWO
Being a King is not all that it's cracked up to be. As republicans, Marco & Giuseppe have declared every noble lord to be their equals and have ended up running about trying to keep them all happy. Their day is very long and tiring. It would not be so bad if their wives were with them. Just as the court falls into a despondent haze the girls arrive. They were equally bored at home without their men and have travelled over sea to join them. They want to hear all the news and the kings offer a banquet and a dance to welcome them. The dancing is interrupted by the Grand Inquisitor. He is troubled by the kings' reforms which are leading to a stagnation at court. Don Alhambra's stories of a similar experiment do not put them off, but when he finds the girls have arrived, he is forced to reveal the secret that the real king is already married to Casilda. The lovers don't take this news very well. Although they are calm on the surface there is trouble brewing. The Duke and Duchess arrive with the Queen. Now that Casilda's position is known, the Duke is doing very well. He and the Duchess are very busy appearing at functions, promoting items and generally adding their name to whatever pays them. The Duke gives the Gondoliers a lesson in deportment and introduces them to Casilda who finds them lacking in court etiquette. In turn the Gondoliers introduce Casilda to their wives. The predicament is a mathematical one. Two men married to three girls.
Don Alhambra arrives with the real king's Foster Mother, Inez, who after spending time in the Inquisition's dungeons is prepared to disclose which of the brothers is King. There is a surprise in store for everyone not least Casilda !

© Nick Lawrence 2003