Il testamento di Facanapa ovvero Il morto risuscitato (Facanapa’s will, or the resurrected dead) is part of an anonymous series of texts written for puppets, Raccolta di commediole, and released by G. Chiopris, a publishing house from Trieste. The theme of the play echoes that of texts written for actor theatre, and is meant for a family audience. The resurrected dead is an expedient used in numerous comedies, as is that of the living person pretending to be dead or of the dead person pretending to be alive. They are often performed during scenes involving the signature of a contract or a will. In this version, Facanapa, created by Friulian puppeteer Antonio Reccardini (1804-1876) in the first half of the 19th century, plays the role of Ottavio’s servant; Arlecchino and Pantalone play the roles of the doctors, which is unusual.

Ottavio worries about the health of his uncle Geronte: he is hoping to inherit from him and to marry the young Isabella. Geronte asks Ottavio if he knows Eugenia’s daughter, Isabella, but he only asks to let him know that he is planning on marrying her. Eugenia and her daughter arrive, but Isabella does not want to marry Geronte and have to bear his children. Ottavio asks Eugenia to honour the contract between them and to terminate the one with Geronte. They do so, provided that Ottavio is effectively designated as Geronte’s heir. Two doctors, Pantalone and Arlecchino, arrive to give their opinion on Geronte’s health, and to prescribe the best medicine. They both argue and accidentally drop Geronte. Meanwhile, Facanapa and Ottavio are waiting for the lawyers when Lisetta, the maid, rushes in to ask for help, and tell them that Geronte is dead.

Facanapa wants to convince everyone that Geronte is still alive: he dresses up and replaces him to sign the will in front of the lawyers. As Geronte, he appoints Ottavio as his heir and leaves different bequests to Lisetta and Facanapa (himself). But Geronte regains consciousness. The lawyers come back and read the will, which is contested by Geronte. When faced with proof of the fraud, Facanapa and Ottavio ask for forgiveness. Geronte forgives them, confirms the will and agrees to Isabella and Ottavio’s wedding.