The Venetian Twins (musical comedy)

The Venetian Twins
Poster for 1981 production by Martin Sharp
Music	Terence Clarke
Lyrics	Nick Enright
Book	Nick Enright
Basis	I due gemelli veneziani by Carlo Goldoni
Productions	Sydney 1979 Sydney 1981 Brisbane 1990 Newcastle 1996 Adelaide 1996 Brisbane 2004

The Venetian Twins is an Australian two-act musical comedy. It was adapted from a commedia dell'arte play - I due gemelli veneziani by Carlo Goldoni - and the lyrics were written by Nick Enright; the music was composed and arranged by Terence Clarke.

The Venetian Twins premiered on 26 October 1979 in the Drama Theatre of the Sydney Opera House. The Nimrod Theatre Company production was directed by John Bell for the inaugural season of the Sydney Theatre Company. It starred Drew Forsythe as the twins, coloratura soprano Jennifer McGregor, Tony Sheldon, and Tony Taylor (for all four of whom their roles were specifically written), Jon Ewing as Pancrazio, the villain, and others.

The 1981 Sydney remount by Nimrod Theatre at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre featuring most of the original cast toured to Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong. The cast was reduced to nine from the original ten.

The 1990 Brisbane production by the Royal Queensland Theatre Company, for which the work was substantially revised, also played seasons in Sydney and Melbourne.

Other notable productions include those of the State Theatre Company of South Australia featuring Paul Blackwell (Adelaide 1996 and Melbourne) and Queensland Theatre Company featuring Mitchell Butel (Brisbane 2004). It is frequently produced by schools and amateur theatre groups.