Act I

Abu-El-Hassan is man of substance. In discussion with his consorts it becomes clear that he has married one wife too many and he generously offers Dancing Sunbeam a month's notice. She is tired of her husband's eccentricities, especially his fondness for society's poor and rejection of upper-class affectations.

The priest, Abdallah, arrives to remind 'crazy' Hassan of his obligations to Islam. To prove his sanity, Hassan vows that he will leave his fortune to Abdallah. Hassan is pronounced cured by the holy man's 'will power'. Abdallah asks the oldest and youngest of Hassan's wives how they would react to Hassan's sudden death - they agree that time would heal their grief. Yussuf, a professional storyteller, is pursuing the beautiful Heart's Desire, one of two slaves of the Sultana Rose-in-Bloom. The 'dancing girls' cannot return to the Sultan's palace while a platoon of royal guards remains on duty nearby; in fear, they seek refuge in Hassan's house. Heart's Desire joins Rose-in-Bloom and Scent-of-Lilies to sing of the risks of leaving the harem. Rose, once impatient to experience rhe outside world, now wishes for the security of the royal palace.

A group of the city's less deserving poor, led by Hassan, are received and fed by the eccentric benefactor's wives. They are puzzled by his unqualified generosity and wonder what Hassan's neighbours must think. Hassan recalls his own not entirely ethical rise from rags to riches. Yussuf enters from the street and explains his philosophy of life - never mind the quality of the cup, it's the wine it holds that counts; likewise, he counsels, clothes do not make the man. Rose-in-Bloom, Scent-of-Lilies and Heart's Desire, who have taken alms from Hassan, entertain their host and dance for him. Abdallah returns with two policemen, buying their silence with a golden piece each. The assembled beggars escape, although the priest demands that the 'dancing girls' should be held as evidence of Hassan's moral shortcomings. Now Heart's Desire falsely declares herself as the Sultana, causing general panic and prompting Dancing Sunbeam to predict her husband's execution.

Facing extinction, Hassan turns for comfort to the potent drug bhang, which he also offers to the company of royal women. The Sultan, Grand Vizier, Physician-in-Chief and Executioner arrive at Hassan's house, disguised as Dervishes and inspired to sing and dance by the liberating effects of the royal drugs cabinet. Hassan watches entranced, all inhibitions cast aside under the influence of bhang, and introduces himself to the Dervish chief as the Sultan. He calls for Rose-in-Bloom to bear witness to his claim.

In the finale, the real Sultan suggests that Hassan may indeed be 'the Sultan in disguise'. The royal guard approaches, protecting the chief officers of state; meanwhile, Dancing Sunbeam pays homage to her regal husband. The drugged imposter commands the Sultana to unveil before the assembled company. When she refuses, he decrees her execution but is gripped by palsy and swoons. Hassan, now unconscious, is removed to the royal palace.

ACT II

Heart's Desire sings wistfully of love and freedom - sentiments echoed by Yussuf. The storyteller intends to confess his love and ask the Sultan to grant his heart's desire; however, the truth of his meeting with the royal slaves would guarantee their despatch down a dark, dry well. Reluctantly, he agrees to lie for the sake of the girls. The Sultan returns from Morning Prayer.

Impressed by Hassan's audacity, the Sultan decides that the two men are to swap roles. Dancing Sunbeam arrives to assert her royal authority, subjecting her social pretensions to scrutiny by the court. The Sultan's deception is put in place and shared with Rose-in-Bloom, who tests her husband's magnanimity on the subject of 'oriental etiquette'.

A bleary-eyed Hassan is set upon the throne. Yussuf seeks audience with the Sultan formerly known as Hassan; confused, he is unable to name his choice of bride. The Sultan's joke turns sour when Abdallah reveals that the Sultana visited Hassan's house the previous night.

Now the Sultan decrees that Hassan be taken to the block and Rose-in-Bloom married to Yussuf. Yussuf tries to reassure Heart's Desire, while his sweetheart schemes that he should marry the mock-Sultana, middle-aged, plain Dancing Sunbeam. Heart's Desire then tells the Sultan that she had posed as the Sultana. Only the completion of her Story with a happy ending can savefx Hassan from his date with the Executioner. Finally, the Sultan arrives and Hassan recalls his early life history, gaining the Sultan's pardon. A bridal march signals that Yussuf is set to marry Heart's Desire.