Billee Taylor

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Billee Taylor, or The Reward of Virtue is "a nautical comedy opera" by Edward Solomon, with a libretto by Henry Pottinger Stephens. First produced in London in 1880 and in New York later that year (starring J. H. Ryley), was a strong success on both sides of the Atlantic and enjoyed many revivals both in Britain and in the United States.

The satiric, cynical risque story is based on the poem of the same title by Richard Brinsley Sheridan who is best known for "A School for Scandal." Strangely, a version of this adult-themed story was created for children and published in 1881.

1 Roles
2 Synopsis
3 Musical numbers
4 External links

[edit] Roles

Billee Taylor (a "virtuous gardener", in love with Phoebe)
Sir Mincing Lane (one of the "nouveau-riche")
Crab (a schoolmaster with a longing to be a genuine villain)
Captain Flapper (of "H. M. S. Thunderball")
Ben Barnacle
Arabella Lane (daughter of Sir Mincing Lane)
Phoebe (a Charity Girl)

[edit] Synopsis

In Act I Billee, "a virtuous gardener," is in love with the beautiful and faithful but poor Phoebe. He, in turn, is loved by Arabella, daughter of the richest man in the village. Just as Billee and Phoebe are about to wed, a captain in the British Navy named Flapper sees Phoebe and falls in love. To stop the marriage, he has Billee impressed as a seaman. Phoebe and her classmates at the charity school all decide to disguise themselves as men and join the Navy.

In Act II, Billee has rapidly risen through the ranks and is now a lieutenant. Also back in port, still disguised as a sailor, is Phoebe. She rushes off to see Billee and comes upon him agreeing to marry Arabella for her dowry. Phoebe confronts Billee who rejects her. In desparation, she pulls out a pistol and attempts to murder him. The gun misfires, and Billee calls for assistance from the crowd attracted by the noise. Phoebe protests that Billee 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.

[edit] Musical numbers

Overture

ACT I

No. 1 - Opening Chorus of Peasants, with Solo - Crab - "Today, today is holiday..."
No. 2 - Ballad - Billee Taylor - "Let others prate of grand estate, I envy not such station..."
No. 3 - Duett - Arabella and Billee - "If you were a maiden, and I were a youth..."
Nos. 4 & 5 - Chorus of Charity Girls, and Song - Phoebe - "Though we're bred upon charity, we have lots of hilarity..."
No. 5a - Chant - Charity Girls - "Always seem to be modest and bashful..." (unaccompanied and in unison)
No. 5b - Entrance of Peasants
No. 6 - Song - Sir Mincing Lane and Chorus - "Many years ago I made a start with nothing, as a grocer's boy..."
No. 6a - Reprise for Exit of Chorus - "For a self made man you see is he..."
No. 7 - Song - Phoebe - "A modest maid, precise and staid..."
No. 8 - Trio - Arabella, Capt. Flapper, and Crab - "Revenge! Revenge! and retribution..."
No. 9 - Sailors' Chorus - "She can swim like a duck, and her flag's never struck..."
No. 10 - Romance - Ben Barnacle - "The yarn as I'm about to spin is all on account of Eliza..."
No. 10½ - For Exit of Chorus - "All on account, all on account, all on account of Eliza..."
No. 11 - Song - Eliza - "How I love my Benjamin, Benny!..."
No. 12 - Wedding Chorus - "Hark! the merry marriage bells! Ding-a-ding-dong! ding-a-ding!..."
No. 13 - Finale - Act I - "'Tis hard by fate thus to be parted..."

ACT II

No. 13a - Entr'acte
No. 14 - Act II Opening Chorus - "Back again! Back again! Tho' so far they roam..."
No. 14a - Hornpipe
No. 15 - Black Cook's Dance
No. 15a - Reprise of No. 14 for Exit of Chorus - "Back again! Back again! ..."
No. 16 - Song - Crab - "I'm a villain of the deepest dye..."
No. 17 - Trio - Sir Mincing, Arabella and Billee - "Most gallant skimmer of the sea, my son in law, that is to be..."
No. 18 - Song - Phoebe and Charity Girls - "I followed my darling Bill to sea..."
No. 19 - Duet and Chorus - Billee, Phoebe, and Charity Girls - "In days gone by our sires would try to be to all polite..."
No. 19a - Reprise for Exit of Girls - "Just like that!..."
No. 20 - Trio - Capt. Flapper, Phoebe, and Susan - "A trim little craft was Phoebe..."
No. 21 - Chorus of Volunteers, with Sir Mincing Lane - "With fife and drum we bravely come..."
No. 21a - Entrance of Barnacle and Sailors
No. 22 - Concerted Piece - "Don't go for to leave us, Richard Carr, we know what a messmate true you are..."
No. 22a - Reprise for Exit - "Love! love! love!..."
No. 23 - Concerted Piece - "See here, my lads, what would you do if you should find your love untrue..."
No. 23a - Melos
No. 24 - Concerted Piece and Quarreling Duet - "Stay, stay, for I am no man; Stay, stay, I am a woman!... "
No. 25 - Grand Finale - "This is a statement most untoward, can Billee Taylor be a coward?..."