The play depicts the complications that ensue when a famous artist adopts the persona of his dead valet to escape his unwelcome celebrity.
Ilam is too tongue-tied to convey to the doctor that the patient is the valet and not the painter, and finally he goes along with events, foreseeing a permanent escape from his irksome celebrity.
A further complication arises when it emerges that Albert had been married and had deserted his wife, who now turns up with her two sons – both curates – in tow, accusing Ilam of bigamy.
He proves his true identity, but to spare the embarrassment of the Abbey authorities he agrees to remain officially dead and he and Janet leave for a new life abroad, as Mr and Mrs Albert Shawn.
[5] The play was revived at the Haymarket Theatre, London on 5 June 1924, starring Leslie Faber as Ilam and Hilda Trevelyan as Janet.