Two women fall in love with men of the same name. This mythical suitor is called 'Ernest, a name that has been adopted by both Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff to win the hearts of their beloveds, Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew, respectively. As pandemonium breaks out at Jacks country home on the same weekend, and while the identity of 'Ernest is still uncertain, only an insignificant handbag and an old nursemaid can save the day!