His wardrobe contains garments of the cheapest material, and here the old clothes-bag of the house, in which articles doomed for a jumble sale are placed, is invaluable. A clever needle and a little ingenious manipulation result in splendid effects.
Fig. 1.—Front view of “one-piece” garment; dotted lines denote springs.
Fig. 1a.—Back view of “one-piece” garment.
Every garment is made in one piece, and fastens at the back of the performer by means of clock springs, which may be purchased from any clockmaker ([Figs. 1] and [1a]). The springs are pliable bands of steel, cut and rounded, according to the size required, and punched with small holes, by means of which they are fixed with stitches to neck, waist, legs and wrists. These springs should be carefully concealed in the hem, with sufficient material over to hide the opening at the back.
There is no time for fastening of buttons, tying of strings, adjusting of pins, or plastering of gum. Even the mustaches used are fixed by means of small silver springs, which adhere to the interior of the nostrils as firmly as the springs of eyeglasses pinch the top of the nose ([Fig. 2]).
Fig. 2.—Back and front view of mustache fixed by spring.
The scenery required is also easily manufactured at home by the amateur carpenter. Thick brown paper, light wooden frames, or, better still, samples of wallpaper, fixed with small brass hinges, will serve excellently as an interior.