The Gathering of the Nuts.
It is announced that an impromptu farce will be staged, with guests taking the various parts. As the different guests are assigned parts they are in turn called to the stage and told where and how to stand. If a large group is present, from fifteen to twenty actors are used; if a small group, all of them may take part. A list of the various rôles has been made out, and the announcer begins calling out characters with the name of the guest who is to take each part. The following cast is used to good advantage:
1. Two footlights, who sit at the front of the stage, upright when the footlights are on, but with faces to floor when off.
2. Curtain. A large man who stands at the middle back. When curtain goes up, arms are outstretched.
3. Scenery. Two girls who stand in right and left corners at the back of the stage with fingertips on top of their heads.
4. The Table. Two short men who, facing each other, bend over till the tops of their heads come together forming an ideal tabletop.
5. The Davenport. Two men who kneel facing each other with hands joined as near the floor as possible.
6. The Lamp. A tall girl with a very fixed radiant smile.
7. The Clock. A girl who moves her head from side to side, saying automatically, “Tick, tock, tick, tock!”
8. Exits. Two people standing at each door with joined hands held high to form a passageway.
9. The Heroine. A tall stout girl who stares dreamily at one of the light fixtures.
10. Her Mother, who stares adoringly at her.
11. Her Father. A picture of righteous wrath.
12. The Hero. A small meek man on his knees at the feet of the heroine.
13. The Villain. Arms crossed, sneer, air of defiance. Much showing teeth and twirling of mustache.
After they are all in their right places with instructions as to how to look and act, footlights go on, curtain goes up, and the announcer breaks in hurriedly, “Oh! I forgot to tell you the name of this play! It is ‘The Gathering of the Nuts!’”, whereupon she makes a hasty exit!