But Elsie is an unlikely champion of the working class and leader of a gang of Luddites who smash the looms to thwart Hardgristle's plans for automation.
Now Ernie has a rival in the form of the ambitious Robert Catch-penny MP, a former seaman with two coaches and a penchant for playing croquet. Remind you of anyone?
The men don't get on and trouble flares when Elsie plots a path of anarchy and treachery that leads to betrayal between the two men.
This is an inspired collaboration between the Red Ladder Theatre Company and Chumba-wamba, generating wonderful acting with plenty of ad-libs and lots of audience participation.
A bibulous bishop and a bumbling magistrate are among the colourful characters who make you laugh out loud.
Jo Mousley is terrific as Elsie while Dean Nolan (Hardgristle) and Harry Hamer (Catchpenny) are tremendous fun and are perfectly cast.
There's delightful, thought-provoking music from the band. Notable songs include Crush 'em, The Enoch Shanty and Timebomb.
The play exposes the injustice of those who toiled in desperate times. There was a profound irony that it was played out in the setting of a mill that grew and flourished through automation.
Fabulously funny, I loved every minute of it.
Simon Wilkinson