The story is set in a village in Eastern Europe early in the 19th Century and concerns the machinations of the village marriage broker in arranging a marriage between two reluctant partners. Kecal, the marriage broker, has arranged the marriage between Marenka and Vasek, one of the sons of Micha. Marenka however is in love with Jenik whose parentage is unknown to her. Kecal buys off Jenik on the understanding that Marenka will marry the eldest son of Micha, who he believes to be Vasek, a simple minded young man with a pronounced stutter. Vasek however has been captivated by Esmeralda, a circus dancer and he agrees to become part of her act, dressed as a bear. Marenka is angry when she learns of the supposed bargain that Jenik has made with Kecal and is even angrier when she learns that Kecal insists that she marry Micha's eldest son. Much to Kecal's disgust, Micha's eldest son turns out to be Jenik who of course is Marenka's first love so everything ends happily except for Kecal.

The villagers begin to celebrate the Feast Day.

The marriage broker Kecal extols the virtues of Vasek to Marenka's parents, Ludmila and Krusina.   

Marenka breaks the news to her parents that she has a lover!

The act I finale with chorus ..........

...........and dancers.

Act II opens with a bar-room scene with Kecal's crowd in symbolic opposition to Jenik's supporters.

Shy Vasek is under pressure to marry, by his parents and by Kecal.

Marenka pretends to be a village maid and tells Vasek to steer clear of Marenka.

Kecal introduces Jenik to Tilda. Tilda is a local heiress.

"I know a maiden..." 

Jenik is totally unimpressed by Tilda's efforts to win his affection.

Kecal offers Jenik 300 crowns to give up Marenka. He agrees on condition that Marenka marries the eldest son of Tobias Micha.

Jenik confides to us that he will not abandon Marenka!

.....and will turn the tables on everyone, especially Kecal. 

...including the short sighted knife thrower! 

.......and the delightful Esmeralda who flirts and finally falls for Vasek. 

Esmeralda and the circus boss persuade Vasek to replace the drunken Libek as the incredible dancing bear! 

Vasek's rich parents Micha and Hata arrive with Kecal to meet prospective in-laws Ludmila and Krusina. Marenka is upset having just heard of Jenik's deal

She sings of her sorrow at the apparent betrayal.

All is resolved when Jenik reveals he is in fact the eldest son of Micha not Vasek! (remember he left home when his dad remarried). Vasek appears as the dancing bear and is betrothed to Esmeralda. A double wedding to follow and all rejoice.