Translated to English from its original Venetian dialect by John D. Mitchel, The Green Bird is a fairy tale written by the 18th century Italian playwright Carlo Gozzi. An evil queen, a dim king, a princess and a mysterious green bird inhabit the world of Carlo Gozzi’s theatrical fantasy. It is the story of a dysfunctional royal family where the evil mother in-law, Tartagliona buries her daughter in-law, the Queen, under the royal toilets. First performed in 18th century Venice, The Green Bird is often revived, charming contemporary audiences with its playful take on familiar fairy tale forms and wowing them with its sheer theatrical imagination. This book is complete with stage directions.