Jack Worthing lives in the country with his budding young ward Cecily Cardew and her fusspot governess, Miss Prism.

To escape his situation, Jack invents a brother named Ernest who lives in London and frequently needs him.

When in London, Jack then poses as Ernest.

This elaborate fabrication proceeds smoothly until Jack/Ernest falls in love and his fiancee’s mother discovers there is more – or, rather, less – to him than meets the eye.