Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1901-11-27
OPERA NEXT FRIDAY
"BILLEE TAYLOR AT THE GRAND
Local Talent Opera Under the Aus
pices of the Ladies of Grace
Episcopal Church.

The local talentopera 'tBillee Taylor"
to be given at the Grand opera house
on Friday evening, promises to be the
peer of all similar entertainments ever
given in Decorah. Those who have the
preparation in charge have given it
much time, and the participants have
been practicing regurlarly for this
event. 1t is beautiful opera, some
thing new for this city, and they
promise all who attend real treat.
The present indications are that the
house will be crowded. Following is
the cast of characters and the synopsis
of the play:
CAST OF CHARACTERS.
Captain the Hon. Felix Fiapper,, r. N.,of
I'm. s. "Thunderbomb."
Mr.. q. ID. ADAMS. ms................Be Ben Barnacle
Mr. Fred Reum. Observation-Disclosures.
Sir. Mincing Lane, Knight, self made
Billee Taylor, gardner,
Ch istopher Crab, al ancient schooimaster
Miss Sa11e Montgomery. y...............
Phoebe Fairleigh, a Village maiden, betroihed
TO Billee.
Miss Ella Ward
Aranelia Lane, Sir Mincing Lanes daugh.
ter, Phoebe's rival.
Miss Wilhelmina Hegner.
Eliza Dahsey an old flame Of Barnacle's.
Miss Alma johnson. son..............Su Susan
Sailors, Volunteers, Peasants, Charity girls,
ARGUMENT.
The story of this opera is founded on
the old song of "Billy Taylor" we'll
known English nautical ditty.
The time of the action is 1905, when
the press-gang was in full sway.
The first act opens with view of
Southampton harbor, at the old inn of
the Royal George, when the villagers
meet to rejoice over the approaching
wedding of BilIee Taylor and Phoebe,
a charity girl. There is, also, an
heiress, Arabella Lane, who is i'm love
with Billee. She offers him her hand
and fortunes, which he refuses. Her
father, Sir Mincing Lane, kind
hearted old gentleman is going to give
the villagers a feast at Billee's we'd
ding. He invites his friend, Captain
Flapper, to join in the festivities. The
Captain falls in love with Phoebe at
first sight, and vows that she shall
not marry Billee. A tutor, Crab, is
dlSO III tONc Will TnOcDe. Among
Captain Flapper's crew is Ren Bar
nacle, who has gone to sea on account
of his love for Eliza, who has forsaken
him for another lover. He is ordered
by the press-gang to go and carry off
Billee Taylor. During the festivities
preceding the wedding, this plan is
executed, and Billee is taken away,
which brings the first act to close.
The second act two years having
elapsed, opens with its scene laid ia
Portsmouth harbor. Ships are coming
and going, while The sailors and their
sweethearts, sit around the docks,
watching some sailors dancing horn
pipe. All of the charity girls, among
whom is Phoebe. having followed
Billee TO sea, disguised as sailor boys.
Billee, in the meantime, has risen to
he a lieutenant. Sir Mincing Lane,
who has become commander i'm the
volunteers, appears, and ehdeavors To
induce some of The -olunteers to Join
his company. Phoebe is about to en-
list, when Bsrnacle interferes, and
there is quarrel between the soldiers
and the sailors. Captain Flapper stops
the fight. Some one tells Phoebe that
Billee has lost his love for her, and
loves Arabella She fires pistol at
Billee and Arabella whom she sees in
company, and is ordered to he shot.
She makes herself known. Matters
are finally explained and set right,
and all ends happily.