Description
According to A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers, and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660-1800, “A Catawba Indian called Coutchee Noyai, or Green Bird, performed with his compatriot Kaiew Neika, or White Man, on 18, 19, 20 and later dates in June 1795 at Sadler’s Wells. Coutchee Noyai’s name derived from his shrill voice and agility in the woods, according to press descriptions. The Indians performed feats of archery, illustrated the management of the tomahawk, and gave examples of war songs and dances”.One of the Indians was about 32 and the other about 20, but which was which the bills did not make clear. Both were called “˜well-looking.'” In July 1795, the Times noted that it was the pair’s final week at Sadler’s Wells. They travelled on to Liverpool, where they performed in August, and by November could be found in Dublin. We join them here in a series of performances at the Lyceum in January 1996. A notice in the Dubline Evening Post reads: “By permission of the Right Hon the Lord Mayor, the Indian chiefs of the Catabaw [sic] Nation, North America, may be seen this and every day from 12 to 3 at the Lyceum, College-Green, prior to their final departure which will shortly take place.” This project is about Great Britain, of course, but we have decided to add the occasional Irish entry in the hope that it will encourage further research in this area.
Bibliographic sources
Dublin Evening Post, 2 January 1796, 1.