Giovanni is a 17th century playwright, whose only dream is to travel to Paris. However, he and his company, Giovanni's Faithful Comics, are under the patronage of the Duke of Mantua, who refuses to let his troupe travel abroad. But when Giovanni agrees to produce an erotic play which will premiere in Paris and which his patron approves of, he begins work immediately on "Amor nello specchio," in which he casts his famous wife, Virginia and launches into rehearsals. However, when a beautiful young neophyte with no previous experience throws herself at Giovanni, sparks erupt which threaten the entire production.