The play concerns Valentine and Proteus, the two gentlemen of Verona and their search for true love. And, unusually, it has two comic servants – Speed, and Launce - and his dog…

Valentines leaves his best friend Proteus behind in Verona when he goes off to Milan to broaden his experience. He takes with him his servant, Speed. Proteus stays, enslaved by his love for Julia. In Milan, Valentine falls in love with Silvia, the daughter of the Duke of Milan. Because she is promised by her father to the foolish Sir Thurio, they decide to elope.

However, in the meantime, Proteus has been ordered to Milan by his father, and reluctantly he goes, taking Launce, his servant with him, Launce also takes his dog, Crab! Proteus immediately falls in love with Silvia as well, completely forgetting about Julia, and plots to betray the lover’s plan to run away together.

Julia misses Proteus and, disguised as a boy, follows him to Milan, and becomes his page, and has to be the bearer of letters and gifts from her master to Silvia.

On being told of Valentine’s plan to run away with his daughter, the Duke banishes Valentine. He has to go, and becomes the leader of a band of outlaws.

Silvia runs away to join Valentine, and to get away from Proteus, who is constantly pursuing her. She is captured by the outlaws, and rescued by Proteus, who attempts to force himself on her. Valentine, overhearing, denounces his false friend. Proteus, overwhelmed by his guilt, pleads for forgiveness which Valentine gives. Julia reveals herself and she and Proteus are reunited.

The Duke and Sir Thurio have also been captured by the outlaws – they all meet, the Duke forgives Valentine and the outlaws, Sir Thurio decides that it’s a waste of his time pursuing a girl who doesn’t want him, and the two pairs of lovers plan to share a wedding day. Happy endings all round….