Gold

Overview

Plot Summary

To the opening bars of the first song (Such A Wealthy Man) King Midas regally enters and sits on his elegant throne, ready to be waited on hand and foot. Through the narrator’s words and ‘catty’ jibes of his courtiers, we learn of his immense wealth and obsession with all things gold. His love of the other finer things in life, namely food and clothes, are also made apparent through the demands he places on his royal chefs (Song – We Cook And We Bake) and seamstresses (Song – Measuring And Cutting), who pander to his every whim. However, when required by his financial advisors to discuss important issues of government, he dismisses them, preferring to concentrate on counting his own stash of gold coins! (Song – So Much Money)
The Queen and Princess Marigold are desperate for Midas to be the loving, attentive husband and father he used to be (Song – Day After Day), and his once-loyal subjects grow angry that their king’s obsession with gold has led to his neglecting them too, and their crumbling city. (Song – Our Beautiful City) As things go from bad to worse a stranger visits Midas, offering to grant him one wish, in the hope that he will use it to become a wiser and more caring ruler. Although advised by his wise men and family to wish for something for the benefit of everyone (Song – One Wish), Midas famously asks that everything he touches turns to gold! (Song – Gold)
Delighted with his new powers (Song – The Golden Touch), he proceeds to gleefully turn every object in his palace and gardens into gold – even his roses, much to the bewilderment of his gardeners! He nevertheless soon realises that it is more of a curse than a blessing, when he unwittingly touches Princess Marigold and she becomes a golden statue! With nobody daring to come near him (Song – Beware), a lonely, distraught Midas begs forgiveness from the stranger who granted his wish. After a humiliating bathe in magical waters, the King is relieved of his golden touch, and vows to make amends for his greed and foolishness……much to the relief of everyone! (Song – Turn It Around)