A non-moving nutshell, this time . . . For those who’ve asked, “What’s Under the Poppy about, besides the great song and sexy puppets and all?” the answer is this: It’s the story of an orphaned brother and sister, Istvan and Decca, and their childhood friend, Rupert, set in a Victorian-era brothel called Under the Poppy. The brothel is owned by Decca, who’s in love with co-owner Rupert, who’s in love with Istvan, who comes to town, louche puppet troupe in tow, and takes up residence there.

The lines of their desires intersect against a backdrop of approaching war, as old betrayals and new alliances — not only their own — take shape, hearts are broken, and the townsmen seek refuge from it all by watching the girls of the Poppy cavort onstage with Istvan’s naughty puppets . . . Short answer: It’s a love story.