Northampton Gilbert & Sullivan Group

All the well-born young ladies in the village, rapturously caught up in aestheticism, are in love with two contrasting poets, the ‘fleshly’ Bunthorne and the ‘idyllic’ Grosvenor. But the poets are both in love with Patience, the simple village milkmaid, who cares nothing for poetry and doesn’t understand love.

The ladies’ military suitors also don’t see the point to aestheticism, but decide they will have to become aesthetic if they are to regain their affections.

Will they win back their ladies hearts? Will Patience find love? And who will be Bunthorne’s bride?