Jack Worthing’s brother, Ernest, provides Jack with the excuse to escape from his dull home in the country to frolic in town. The home of Algernon Moncrieff’s friend Bunbury provides a convenient locale for taking adventures in the country. The problem? Ernest and Bunbury are imaginary, created by Jack and Algernon in order to add a dash of excitement to their lives. Their deceptions eventually cross paths, resulting in a series of hilarious crises that threaten to spoil their romantic pursuits.