New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-20
STANDARD THEArRE-BILLEE TAYLOR.

STANDARD 1hEAIhE-DlLLEE IAlL
It was much such an audience as was assembled
year ago last New Years Eve at the Fifth
Avenue Theatre to witness the drst perform
ance of 1.-The Pirates Of Penzanee" that crowded
the Standard Theatre last night. packing it literally
full 30 that there not empty seat to be seeu
and 30 that movement in the aisles and Hobbies
was almost an impoesibility. "Bee Taylor" tue new
operefta by Messrs Stevens and Solomon. has had
great success in London, and Its production here has
created no small stir, and has been awaited with no
small interest. The extraordinary success which
INNS Pinaforen met with throughout this
country set new fashion and opened new way to
fortune which composers, librettists and managers
were not slow either to see or to follow. All
of Mr.. SulIivan's earlier operettas. which had
not before been thought available, were at once
seized upon and produced, and that public man and
his fellow-worker, Mr.. Gilbert, we're the first to
follow the fashion which they had
themselves Get. in bringing out a new
work Of the same sort. Since that time We have
had multitude of different light English operas. all
cast in the same mould. by both American and Eng
lish composers, the most prominent of the former
having been Mr.. Dudley Buck. with his Deseret."
and of the latter Messrs Frederic Clay and Alfred
Collier. The work which was produced last night
Z at the Standard Theatre with all the adjuncts
of handsome scenery, pretty, picturesque and
tasteful dresses and the most efficient OF stage
agement seems to be quite the best of them all and
the most likely to rival "Pinafore in popularity.
Mr.. Stevens has founded his story, such it is on
the old English song. which tells us how
" Billee Taylor was fine young fellow,
Full Of fun. aud full Of giee,"
and which. after detailing the manner in which he
was torn from his true love by press gang and
sent to sea- narrates his heartless nfdehty to that
young person, and the eminently proper JUS
fice which is meted out TO him in the
end. A villain has been introduced. and
some additions have been made to the story as it
Il told by the ballad. to suit the dramatic exigen-
cics but it's outlines are the same in the
main. Like "Pinafore.n it Is nautical
operetta, and this is by no means the only
point Of resemblance which will be detected
between 1t and its more celebrated precursor, but
tne character Of the hGmor with which it abounds is
original enough and though Mr. Stevens has made
use OF many Of Mr. GiIberes ideas, and often OBJ
tains his effects by pretty much the same
means, IT Is anything but seryile imitation
OF that eentlemat's work There is a captain
10 the Royal Navy who bears strong family
likeness to Ssr 'foseea Po,tr, Il. O. b., Sir Mincin0
Leas who alto Resembles him, and n boat.
swsin' VINO In PERSONAL appearance and
general bearing, nt least. sueOests Djck
Dsadeys but each Of these characters has
Q distinct individuality, and the resemblance Is
gradually forgotten with the working out of the
plot Mr.. stevenss humor resembles Mr. GiIbsrps
IN Its bnghtneS aud eenality. and in
It's entire haruiessoess and freedom from
ob5ect1onabls inpendoss-there is nothing of the
french opera Doune character about the work-but
lacking n the quaintness and originality
/ wnicn marx the productions of the author of
The Bah BalladAr For the most part. however,
the librettIst has done his work exceedingly we'll
There Is an abundance Of a1ns,n%
eneA the dialogue is droII and euter,a,n'n"
Rr lntcress aud attention OF the public
g, ?syer allowed 70 flag. and the piece is full OF
e'sn'y eomic sltuations Mr.. Solomon's music IS
o'<tek thsn Mr. steyenSs book. Ills CRISP
and spirited, fnll Of bright
< alf& which all the town will DO
ene Is " uci wanting u ti,s