Billy Conway was born in Hartford, Conn.; he died in Boston, Mass., March 8, 1892; age 38 years.
McINTYRE and HEATH
are beyond all question the greatest duo of black-face delineators of the real Southern darky that the stage ever has or ever will know.
They give an absolutely faithful portrayal of the black man as he really exists.
Mr. McIntyre as a pessimistic coon, and Mr. Heath as the colored gemmen with pronounced optimistic ideas of life, are excruciatingly funny in everything they do; but as the “Georgia Minstrels” their talents probably appear to the greatest advantage.
McIntyre and Heath joined hands in San Antonio, Texas, in the Spring of 1874, at the Vaudeville Theatre. They played many variety and circus engagements until the fall of 1878, when they organized McIntyre and Heath’s Minstrels. A year later they made their first New York appearance at Tony Pastor’s Theatre; their success was instantaneous and pronounced.
In the Fall of 1880 they engaged with the Alice Oates Company, playing “Long Branch.”
In the Fall of 1881 they again headed their own minstrel organization, and the following season McIntyre and Heath’s Specialty Company took the road.
In 1883 they were under the management of Hyde and Behman, and the following season headed their own company under the direction of Primrose and West. In 1886, Spencer, McIntyre and Heath’s Minstrels toured.
Their next important minstrel engagement was with Lew Dockstader’s Company in 1891. Subsequently they played extended engagements with Hyde & Behman’s Company, and Weber and Fields’ organization.