Since her father's death, Emma has been the main bread-winner of her family, making a living selling paper flowers to the theatre crowds in the West End But she dreams of escaping the poverty of the East End When she meets former magician turned street musician Theodore Barrington, he gives Emma just enough encouragement for her to entertain the notion of becoming his assistant for a new act But when Emma's mother learns of their secret rehearsals, she is scandalised at the very thought of her daughter going on the stage and Emma is forced into making a difficult choice