Welcome to the 1981 production of Patience

Synopsis

In Patience, Gilbert pokes fun at the craze for aestheticism in the 1880's.
The opening scene portrays a group of young ladies be-moaning the fact that their adoration of Bunthorne, the fleshly poet, does not move him to love any of them. Condescendingly they pity Patience, the village milk maid, upon whom Bunthorne's fancy has alighted, for she has never loved.
The "love sick maidens" disdain the attentions of the Dragoon Guards and follow Bunthorne who, when left alone with his audience, admits he is not aesthetic as he seems.
He is disappointed when refused by Patience who prefers Grosvenor, an Idyllic poet.
He and Patience fall in love but as he is perfection, Patience resolves to part from him for ever.
Bunthorne now "puts himself up to be raffled for" when Patience enters and declares her willingness to wed him.
The maidens, in desperation, return to their former lovers, the Dragoons, until Grosvenor appears and captivates them all. Grosvenor reduces his followers to fresh hopelessness by declaring he can never love any of them.

Bunthorne soon realises that Patience is really in love with Grosvenor despite her protestations. It is no consolation to Bunthorne to find that Lady Jane, unlike the other maidens, is still faithful to him in spite of the attraction of Grosvenor.
The Officers of the Dragoons have meantime decided to win their ladies by turning aesthetic. Their efforts, although ludicrous, receive some encouragement from the girls and the only question is "who will take whom?"
Grosvenor, rather than be cursed by Bunthorne, puts off his aesthetic graces and becomes common place, whilst Bunthorne decides to become perfect.
Patience, at first happy in the change, once more rejects perfection and accepts Grosvenor.
The maidens pair off leaving Bunthorne who "has to be content with a tulip or lily."