Casanova

By Russell T Davies
3 x 1 hours

In a new serial for television, award winning writer Russell T Davies (THE SECOND COMING; QUEER AS FOLK) takes a captivating look at the life of CASANOVA - the world's greatest lover.

This is action-adventure, shot through with romance and emotion, which moves seamlessly between comedy and tragedy in the style of MOULIN ROUGE.

CASANOVA takes us from the decadent streets of 18th Century Venice to the salons of pre-Revolution Paris, and on to the London courts of George III, until a trip to Naples finally breaks Casanova's heart. In the Age of Reason and Science, gambling and gallantries, of pleasure and entertainment, Casanova has it all, does it all. In turn he is a violinist, a priest, a gambler, a lottery director and an intellectual. He is both peasant and nobleman, rich and poor. But he is one thing above all others - a lover.

Sex is Casanova's lifeblood. But he is never casual or flippant. He loves with total commitment and total sincerity, however temporarily. He sleeps with courtesans, actresses and even a nun. His life is dedicated to pleasure. But one thing eludes him - perfect happiness with his one true love, HENRIETTE.

Fast paced and edgy, the serial focuses on the gripping love triangle between CASANOVA, HENRIETTE and her husband, GRIMANI.

The untitled and penniless son of an actress, Casanova uses his extraordinary intellect, charm and cheek to gain entry into the high society of the Venetian Salons. It is here that he and Henriette first set eyes upon each other. It's love at first sight - real love for both of them - but Henriette is engaged to Grimani, a powerful, rich patrician.

Casanova proposes to Henriette but she turns him down. He has no money or status, no steady job. And as a woman in this society, Henriette must choose her husband carefully - for reasons other than love. But for once, fate sides with Casanova. When all seems lost, he heroically saves the life of a powerful man who adopts Casanova as his heir. Casanova now has a title and money.

Joyfully, Henriette accepts Casanova's second offer of marriage. But Grimani isn't about to allow Casanova to walk off with his woman. He has Casanova arrested for offences against the government and church. The accusations are false but Casanova is found guilty and imprisoned. In disgrace and poverty, Henriette waits for a miracle. When Casanova escapes his prison cell, the miracle comes too late. Henriette has married Grimani.

Broken, Casanova sets off on a journey across Europe, intent on finding a Venetian Ambassador who'll pardon him for "his crimes" and thus facilitate his return to Venice and to Henriette.

A story of intrigue, lust and fortunes lost and found ensues. But a pardon eludes him and Henriette seems lost to him forever. But after Casanova is wounded in a duel, a mystery-stranger nurses him back from the brink of death. The stranger has been sent by Henriette. She watches over him, still loves him - even though a life for them together remains only a dream.

Casanova's last chance of a pardon is from a retired Venetian Procurator living in Naples. But Naples is a dangerous place. With Mount Vesuvius threatening to erupt it's a city that could be wiped out of existence at any moment. It's as if God intends to destroy the city for all its sins. Casanova decides it's the perfect place for him.

The volcano never erupts, but Naples destroys Casanova ... As events unfold, he is left feeling unworthy of Henriette and gives up the idea of ever being with her.

But he will never forget her.

44 years later and Casanova, a librarian in a castle, far exiled from Venice, is dying. Into his life comes EDITH, a young parlour maid. Something in Edith ignites the old passion in Casanova and he finds himself regaling her with tales of his adventures. Through Edith, he learns to love the old Casanova again and sends out messengers in search of Henriette. It's one last, desperate attempt to see the woman he loves before he dies...