Bachelor-about-town Algernon Moncrieff is frequently called away from family engagements by his sick friend Bunbury. But Bunbury doesn’t exist.

Country landowner Jack Worthing is regularly required in town to get his disreputable brother Earnest out of trouble. But then, Earnest doesn’t exist either…

As Algernon sets his romantic sights on Jack’s ward Cecily, and Earnest falls for Algernon’s cousin Gwendolyn, the two struggle to maintain their deceptions, but when Algernon poses as the non-existent Earnest, their careful plans are thrown into chaos.

Only the indomitable Lady Bracknell has the power to resolve the confusion – that is, with the help of an old black handbag…