Cowboys & Indians


| Indians - Photograph |


I don't know if it qualifies me as an "ex-thesp", but I was in the on-stage stage crew for 'Indians' by Arthur Coppitt. We had to move around the props and the revolving stage dressed as cowboys, and in one scene had to be a 'Wild West Show'; I had to crack a whip, pretending to knock a cigarette out of Annie Oakley's mouth.

Whilst my contribution was limited, I will never forget Danny Long as Sitting Bull. He made the most fantastic, powerful speech walking between the bodies of the dead Indians (who were also dressed as buffalo), and as he walked off the audience erupted into huge applause. As he walked into the wings his face changed into a broad grin and he said something like 'It's a laugh, isn't it?'
(Peter Holmes 68-75)


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