A group of cousins, frustrated by a rainy day and limited indoor space, decide to transform a barn into their own theater. The children eagerly convert a low haymow into a stage and gather props—a patch bed quilt for a curtain (despite its later damage from hastily driven nails) and various costume items—to assemble a full entertainment exhibition. They plan a performance combining a long dialogue, recitations of poems, a charade, and musical numbers. Roles are distributed between spoken parts and instrumental accompaniment using improvised instruments such as clappers, a drum, a harmonicon, and a whistle, with additional accessories like a soldier cap and a peacock feather to enhance the festivities. The exhibition begins with a musical introduction provided by a band of boys in uniform, though their coordination is humorously imperfect. Their performance is immediately followed by individual acts: a boy recites a poem starting with “The boy stood on the burning deck,” a duet is sung by two girls, and another boy delivers a humorous verse concluding with a moral about vinegar. A major segment ensues in the form of a charade which features a rickety old chaise pulled by a rocking-horse; the setup involves deliberately staged mishaps, including a fall that leads to a pile of hay covering the chaise, all met with laughter and playful reprimands from the audience. The program continues with further scenes in which roles are reversed between performers and the audience—girls are momentarily made captives by the energetic boys during a mock military scenario, and a reenactment of historical figures is presented. The performance is interspersed with recited verses and short theatrical pieces, including a tender ballad and an epilogue that plays on the artifice of hints and riddles. Despite minor disruptions, such as miscoordination during musical segments and physical comedy resulting in unforeseen accidents, the collective improvisation and eager participation imbue the exhibition with charm and humor. In the end, the children’s inventive and spontaneous creativity transforms a gloomy day into a memorable celebration of camaraderie and youthful ingenuity, leaving all participants and adult spectators pleased despite the unconventional staging and practical mishaps.
By Lucy Ellen Guernsey · First published 2022 · Genre: Children's Fiction, Humor, Comedy