Ripley, the vampire, was frozen in the late eighteenth century, but has revived in modern times and becomes a successful businessman. At a ceremony to invoke Satan, Ripley learns that his revival has come with a price: in the next three days, he must kill three women in order to gain another year of life. Miranda's father, Davenant, arrives and tells her that she must marry the Earl of Marsden to secure a business deal.

Scottish Opera’s double bill pairs the courtroom comedy, which was the first major success for collaboration between the librettist team of William Schwenck Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, alongside a new operetta set at the heart of modern British government by Emma Jenkins and Toby Hession.