John P. Worthing is a carefree young gentleman, whose inability to amuse himself in the country leads him to invent a ficticious brother named Ernest - a troublemaker whose wicked ways afford Jack an excuse to journey to London and visit his close friend, Algernon Montcrieff.

   After meeting Algernon's cousin, Jack falls in love with her under his "brother's" pseudonym, and she reveals her secret desire to marry someone of the same confidence-inspiring name. But, when he asks for her hand from Lady Bracknell, Jack must reveal that he was found in a handbag at Victoria Station. Uphalled at the though of marrying her niece to "marry into a cloakroom and form an alliance with a parcel," Lady Bracknell insists that he produce at least one parent before she consents.

  Returning to the country home where he lives with his ward Cecily Cardew and her governess Miss Prism, Jack finds that Algernon has also arrived under the identity of the nonexistent brother Ernest. Algernon falls madly in love with the beautiful Cecily, who has long been enamored of the mysterious, fascinating brother Ernest.

   Once the two girls find out that they are both engaged to brother Ernest, sparks begin to fly. The rich dialogue and immense characters make it clear why The Importance of Being Earnest is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest works of English Literature.