Ella Adkins “Grandmother’s Gold”

 Ella Adkins is a modern British Dramatist. Her “Grandmother’s Gold” is based on the Greek legend of King Midas. He was granted magical powers by the God Dinoysius to turn whatever things he touches into gold. He couldn’t even touch his food because it is turned into gold. When he embraced his daughter, she turned into a golden statue. Ella Adkins uses the legend in a modern context in this play.

The story opens at Mrs. Griggs’ tea shop in Cheesebury Green. Betty Griggs, aged seventeen sells a small piece of her chain for five and six to Mr. Rubenthrope, a dealer who purchases gold. But her mother feels that she is swindled. He was asked to leave.

Alfred Midas, aged about twenty-one carries two books, for Betty and Grandmother which they asked him to bring. Mrs.Griggs does not look pleased to have Alfred. Betty says that it is because of his disclosure of him being the descendant of King Midas. Griggs doesn’t believe his story. Betty asks him if he has any document or any piece of jewellery to prove his identity. Alfred shows a ring that has been in his family for generations.

If a girl named Marigold wears that ring on the right middle finger, she can turn things into gold, since it was the name of Kind Midas’s daughter. Mrs.Bootle reveals that her full name is Elizabeth Marigold Bootle. Mrs. Bootle wears the ring and utters the spell “Presta Karistica Poo”. She tries it on the Vase and it turns into gold. Soon she turns the table as well as the sideboard too.

Without knowing any of this Rubenthrope comes back enquiring about the brooch Betty mentioned earlier. Mrs. Bootle tells him that she wants to sell some family gold. Once the bargaining and documenting are over, Mrs. Bootle goes out with Alfred saying that she wants to do some shopping. 

Mrs. Bootle has made much more gold and supplied it to all over her nations. Because of her unlimited gold supply, her city suffered from famine, which is caused due to inflation, strike, and riots. An official was sent to make an agreement with Mrs. Bootle to stop making any more gold. 

Mrs.Bootle and Alfred agree and sign the agreement, as they were informed of birthday honours.  Mr. Gregory informs Mrs.Bootle that she will be called Duchess of Cheesebury Green for the sacrifice she is willing to make.

In the end, to everyone’s surprise, Mrs. Bootle reveals that she cannot make any more gold, even if she had not signed in the agreement because the ring slipped from her hand when she was washing.