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Billee Taylor
Billee Taylor, or The Reward of Virtue is "a nautical comedy opera" composed by Edward Solomon, with a libretto by Henry Pottinger Stephens. The satiric, cynical risqué story is based on the nautical poem and song of the same title by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. The plot concerns the maneuvering of three men, Billee, Captain Flapper and Christopher Crab, for the hand of poor but beautiful Phoebe; another woman, Arabella, also wishes to wed Billee.
The piece was first produced at the Imperial Theatre in London on 30 October 1880, followed by a Broadway debut at the Standard Theatre on February 19, 1881. The show was a success in both cities and was regularly revived. A version of this adult-themed story was created for children and published in 1881.[citation needed]
Billee Taylor was first produced at the Imperial Theatre in London on 30 October 1880, starring Arthur Williams as Sir Mincing Lane and Frederick Rivers as Billee.
The first Broadway production opened at the Standard Theatre on February 19, 1881. Co-produced by Richard D'Oyly Carte and Edward E. Rice, the cast included Arnold Breeden in the title role, W. H. Seymour as Sir Lane, J. H. Ryley as Captain Flapper, William Hamilton as Christopher Crab, Alice Burville as Arabella Lane, Madeleine Lucette as Susan, Nellie Mortimer as Eliza Dabsey, Carrie Burton as Phoebe, and A. W. F. McCollin as Ben Barnacle.
Billee Taylor was a strong success on both sides of the Atlantic and enjoyed many revivals both in Britain and in the United States. Early revivals included The Gaiety Theatre, London (1885, with Marion Hood as Phoebe and Arthur Roberts as Barnacle) and Toole's Theatre (1886). On Broadway it was revived at the Casino Theatre in 1885 with a cast that included Robert C. Hilliard as Billie, Vernona Jarbeau as Arabella, Lillian Russell as Phoebe, Josie Hall as Susan, Alice Barnett as Eliza, and J. H. Ryley returning as Captain Flapper.
The scene is laid in Southampton, England, in 1805.
The villagers gather at The Inn of the Royal George, which overlooks the harbor, to celebrate the approaching wedding of Billee Taylor, "a virtuous gardener," and the charming, beautiful and faithful, but poor, Phoebe. Kindly old Sir Mincing Lane has arranged the feast and has invited his friend, Captain Flapper of the Royal Navy. His daughter, Arabella, has fallen in love with Billee and offers her hand and fortune, but he refuses the tempting offer. Just as Billee and Phoebe are about to wed, Captain Flapper sees Phoebe and falls in love with her at first sight, vowing to marry her himself. A tutor, Christopher Crab is also in love with Phoebe. A sailor, Ben Barnacle, has gone to sea to forget about Eliza, a woman he loves but who does not love him. To stop Billee's marriage, Captain Flapper orders Ben to abduct Billee and impress him as a seaman, which he does. Phoebe and her classmates at the charity school all decide to disguise themselves as men and join the Navy.
Two years later, at Portsmouth, Billee has rapidly risen through the ranks and is now a lieutenant. Also back in port, still disguised as sailors, are Phoebe and the girls. Arabella has been persistent, and Billee is gradually warming to her attentions. Phoebe learns of this from Captain Flapper. She rushes off to see Billee and comes upon him agreeing to marry Arabella for her dowry. Phoebe confronts Billee who rejects her. Sir Mincing Lane who is gathering a company of volunteers, tries to enlist some of the sailors. Phoebe decides to join but is claimed by Barnacle as a messmate, and the soldiers and sailors quarrel. In desperation, and at the urging of Crab, she pulls out a pistol and fires at the unfaithful Billee. The gun misfires, hitting Crab, and Billee calls for assistance from the crowd attracted by the noise. Phoebe is sentenced to be shot but declares that she is a woman in love with Billee, who has betrayed her. But, dressed as a man, she convinces no one. So she bares her breasts. Just then Captain Flapper, still smitten, happens by, rescues Phoebe, and has Billee arrested as a coward and a traitor. All ends happily.
Billee Taylor
Billee Taylor, or The Reward of Virtue is "a nautical comedy opera" composed by Edward Solomon, with a libretto by Henry Pottinger Stephens. The satiric, cynical risqué story is based on the nautical poem and song of the same title by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. The plot concerns the maneuvering of three men, Billee, Captain Flapper and Christopher Crab, for the hand of poor but beautiful Phoebe; another woman, Arabella, also wishes to wed Billee.
The piece was first produced at the Imperial Theatre in London on 30 October 1880, followed by a Broadway debut at the Standard Theatre on February 19, 1881. The show was a success in both cities and was regularly revived. A version of this adult-themed story was created for children and published in 1881.[citation needed]
Billee Taylor was first produced at the Imperial Theatre in London on 30 October 1880, starring Arthur Williams as Sir Mincing Lane and Frederick Rivers as Billee.
The first Broadway production opened at the Standard Theatre on February 19, 1881. Co-produced by Richard D'Oyly Carte and Edward E. Rice, the cast included Arnold Breeden in the title role, W. H. Seymour as Sir Lane, J. H. Ryley as Captain Flapper, William Hamilton as Christopher Crab, Alice Burville as Arabella Lane, Madeleine Lucette as Susan, Nellie Mortimer as Eliza Dabsey, Carrie Burton as Phoebe, and A. W. F. McCollin as Ben Barnacle.
Billee Taylor was a strong success on both sides of the Atlantic and enjoyed many revivals both in Britain and in the United States. Early revivals included The Gaiety Theatre, London (1885, with Marion Hood as Phoebe and Arthur Roberts as Barnacle) and Toole's Theatre (1886). On Broadway it was revived at the Casino Theatre in 1885 with a cast that included Robert C. Hilliard as Billie, Vernona Jarbeau as Arabella, Lillian Russell as Phoebe, Josie Hall as Susan, Alice Barnett as Eliza, and J. H. Ryley returning as Captain Flapper.
The scene is laid in Southampton, England, in 1805.
The villagers gather at The Inn of the Royal George, which overlooks the harbor, to celebrate the approaching wedding of Billee Taylor, "a virtuous gardener," and the charming, beautiful and faithful, but poor, Phoebe. Kindly old Sir Mincing Lane has arranged the feast and has invited his friend, Captain Flapper of the Royal Navy. His daughter, Arabella, has fallen in love with Billee and offers her hand and fortune, but he refuses the tempting offer. Just as Billee and Phoebe are about to wed, Captain Flapper sees Phoebe and falls in love with her at first sight, vowing to marry her himself. A tutor, Christopher Crab is also in love with Phoebe. A sailor, Ben Barnacle, has gone to sea to forget about Eliza, a woman he loves but who does not love him. To stop Billee's marriage, Captain Flapper orders Ben to abduct Billee and impress him as a seaman, which he does. Phoebe and her classmates at the charity school all decide to disguise themselves as men and join the Navy.
Two years later, at Portsmouth, Billee has rapidly risen through the ranks and is now a lieutenant. Also back in port, still disguised as sailors, are Phoebe and the girls. Arabella has been persistent, and Billee is gradually warming to her attentions. Phoebe learns of this from Captain Flapper. She rushes off to see Billee and comes upon him agreeing to marry Arabella for her dowry. Phoebe confronts Billee who rejects her. Sir Mincing Lane who is gathering a company of volunteers, tries to enlist some of the sailors. Phoebe decides to join but is claimed by Barnacle as a messmate, and the soldiers and sailors quarrel. In desperation, and at the urging of Crab, she pulls out a pistol and fires at the unfaithful Billee. The gun misfires, hitting Crab, and Billee calls for assistance from the crowd attracted by the noise. Phoebe is sentenced to be shot but declares that she is a woman in love with Billee, who has betrayed her. But, dressed as a man, she convinces no one. So she bares her breasts. Just then Captain Flapper, still smitten, happens by, rescues Phoebe, and has Billee arrested as a coward and a traitor. All ends happily.
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