‘The Servant of Two Masters’ Comes to NDSU

The NDSU Theatre group is bringing the classic Italian comedy “The Servant of Two Masters” to the campus early next month.

Originally written by Carlo Goldoni in 1743, the nearly three-hundred-year-old story was translated and localized for English speaking audiences by Jeffrey Hatcher and Paolo Emilio Landi. The stage play tells the story of the servant Truffaldino, who must secretly balance the work of two separate masters while trying to fulfill his own ravenous hunger. All the while, both masters and servants become caught up in the search for money, dignity and love.

The play is host to a famous set piece consisting of a banquet that forces Truffaldino into a series of baffling conflicts of interest and races against the clock. College students, in particular, should have no trouble in relating to poor Truffaldino’s plight.

The Theatre NDSU web page features a brief description of the production:
“Complications and comedy thrive in this romantic farce based on classic commedia dell’arte. Young love is hindered by mistaken identity in a clash between young and old. The blundering servants make matters worse until they masterfully orchestrate the comical resolution. Enter this crazy world for a highly engaging evening of physical comedy containing sword fights and food fights with high spirits for the whole family.”

The play will start at 7:30 in the evening on the second weekend of the month from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10, and again from Nov. 15 to Nov. 18. Sunday showings will begin at 2 p.m. The show will be held in the Walsh Studio Theatre in Askanase Hall on campus throughout its run.

Ticket pricing will start at $5 for NDSU students and go up to $12 for non-student adults.

For fans of live entertainment and old-fashioned comedy, this is likely the show for you. However, even if you’ve never seen a play before in your life, this might be your chance to try it out for the first time and support the NDSU Theatre at the same time.