The story concerns a magic potion that causes the person to whom it is administered to become what he or she has pretended to be. It is similar to several "magic lozenge" plots that Gilbert had proposed to the composer Arthur Sullivan, but that Sullivan had rejected, earlier in their careers.
The story revolves around a magic potion that transforms the person who consumes it into what they have impersonated. It is akin to several "magic lozenge" plots Gilbert had suggested to composer Arthur Sullivan, but which Sullivan had previously declined during their careers.