CASANOVA is a two part BBC production of the infamous Italian ‘lover’ Giacomo Casanova starring Peter O’Toole as the elderly Casanova, David Tennant as the younger Casanova and Rose Byrne as the older Casanova’s chamber maid, Edith. The two part story is written by Russell T Davies and directed by Sheree Folkson. 

The story revolves around the older Casanova retelling the events of his life to the young, naïve and very inquisitive Edith. Edith presupposes that Casanova has been the conqueror of many women for the sole purpose of his own sexual gratification and while this presupposition is shown to be partly true, it becomes far from the whole truth as the older Casanova recounts his life story. 

David Tennant plays the role of the younger handsome, charming and cavalier Casanova with a sense of mischievous whimsy. The story almost unfolds as a sort of ‘Casanova plays the Cantebury Tales’ pastiche of overlapping events and conquests leaving the viewer unsure of whether Casanova is the conqueror or the conquered.  

This is a mostly upbeat and light-hearted portrayal of Casanova, however, it is not without its moving moments and its sadness’s. All three major players have a screen presence although it is David Tennant as the younger Casanova who really dominates the screen. To draw on a time honoured cliché, I would have to describe this production as a very enjoyable rollicking romp.