Australian variety performer, manager, writer, director.
Minstrel comedian Billy Speed first toured the Antipodes with Hicks-Sawyer Minstrels - later the American Coloured Minstrels (1888-91). He later worked for
Dan Tracey and
Harry Rickards before co-managing several minstrel companies with
Thomas Delohery (1895-96). Speed settled in Perth between 1898 and 1903, operating various companies including Speed and Hagan's Comedy Company (with
Martyn Hagan) and Speed's Silk and Satin Company. He disappeared, presumed drowned, off a beach near Broome owing money but was seen in Singapore on his way to Europe the following year.
[Source:
Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
