Concrete Playground

"I don't conquer, I submit."
- Giacomo Casanova

These simple words can sum up the totality of Casanova's life. Born in the declining years of Venice's sea power, Casanova's political and sexual intrigues are more the product of a man who just gave in to surrounding decadence rather than the malicious vices of a demonic figure.

His exploits as a spy, a con artist, a lover and a philosopher may have left no trace were it not for his final decades, exiled to boredom in Bohemia, where he penned his memoirs.

These same memoirs are given voice and form by John Malkovich in The Giacomo Variations. Malkovich's readings of Casanova's debauched life are paired with excerpts from Mozart's famous operas Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro and Cosi fan tutte. It is no surprise that Mozart's operas deal with lust, bawdy gentlemen and nefarious schemes, given that he and Casanova were contemporaries.

The Giacomo Variations is a lush, playful night of high-art with low brows. Even if sold out, it's certainly worth an early morning queue down at Martin Place.

Image by Brigitte Lacombe