Based on a true story, William Henry Lane is an African-American discovered hoofing in a bar in the New York in the mid 19th century. Acting as his agent The Showman ensures he becomes a big star of the Vaudeville stage so long as he remains disguised as a minstral. Brought to England his reception is fairly cool until he is discovered by Charles Dickens in his legendary Boz journal and eventually he performs for Queen Victoria.