Cirrus@Austlit

Possibly adapted and localised from H. J. Byron's burlesque William Tell with a Vengeance, or, the Pet, the Patriot and the Pippin (1867), this version of the famous William Tell story contains allegories about the displacement of ignorance, prejudice, and superstition through the influence of education; the press; intelligence; and discovery. Aside from William Tell, the principal characters include Gessler (the tyrannical Governor of Altorf), Sarnem (a bilious gaoler with a secret), Emma (an elderly lady with a slight encumbrance), Albert (the slight encumbrance), Rosetta (daughter of Sarnem who thinks a good deal of herself but more of Albert), and Furst, Melchthal, and Verner (patriots pure and more than usually simple).

The pantomime scenes were played out in two acts:

Act 1: Scene 1. Caverns of Ignorance;

Scene 2. Fairy Castles in the Air;

Scene 3. In the Clouds;

Scene 4. Alpine Glen;

Scene 5. Sarnem's Hut;

Scene 6. On the Road;

Scene 7. Forest Glen and Cascade;

Act 2 : Scene 1. Alphabet Castle;

Scene 2. Sarnem's House;

Scene 3. Market Place; and

Scene 4. On the Road and Father Christmas Tableau.

Grand Transformation Scene: 1. An English Homestead in Winter (dissolving scene); 2. Palace of Enchantment in the Regions of Fairyland; 3. Submarine Grotto; 4. The Golden Gate of the Nymph's Bower; 5. The Valley of Golden Ferns; and 6. The Abode of Aurora.

Harlequinade: 1. Up and Down Street, 2. A Rural House near Pleasantville, and 3.The Village and Post Office.

The musical score, arranged by Walter Rice, was made up of popular songs of the time and airs from a variety of operas, notably Le Voyage la Luna, Madame L'Archiduc, La Jolie Parfumeuse, Maritana, and William Tell.