A tall boy should put on the skirt of a lady’s dress. This skirt should
just escape the floor. In his hands he should carry a broom, with the
broom end held directly above him, and the broom handle held close in
front of him.
A ball to simulate a person’s head should be secured by strong twine to
the broom. This ball should have a false face securely fastened to the
front of it, while, as a cover for the rest of the ball there should
be a lady’s bonnet. This bonnet cannot be too grotesquely trimmed.
Long plumes, brilliant flowers, natural or artificial, sunflowers,
hollyhocks, cucumber blossoms, etc., would be correct decoration. The
bonnet should be tied underneath the false face, being careful to have
the bow ends voluminous and the streamers long. The ribbon should be
vivid scarlet, or bright orange color.
Just below the bonnet and around the broom fasten a cloak, the bottom
of which should reach beyond the boys waist; in this way the boy and
the broom are entirely concealed.
The company should be asked to take seats at the rear end of the room,
then announce that they are to be entertained by the pantomime entitled
“The Hunt for the Keyhole.”
Then the door should be opened, and at once a tall, odd-looking
individual enters. His appearance creates roars of laughter, as also
his ridiculous actions when having bowed to the audience he turns
to the door through which he has come and commences his search. The
effect is ridiculous, as the head is bobbed around in every direction
whichever way the boy chooses to turn, as also whichever way he chooses
to move the broom. When enough amusement has been gotten, the boy again
bows and comically waltzes out of the room.
The boy will need an assistant to dress, and this game should be
privately practised before showing it to an audience.