'Walk of Fame' star for Dean Crowe Theatre legend Paschal Gough

by Navjyoti Dalal

A name synonymous with the Dean Crowe Theatre for six decades, Paschal Gough, was recently honoured by his former colleagues in an extraordinary way.

A Hollywood style 'Walk of Fame Star' has been installed in the control room of the theatre, bearing Paschal's name and ‘the Prince of Darkness’ as caption, in a nod to his extensive work handling the lighting and control room for countless productions over the years.

John McGlynn, manager of the Dean Crowe Theatre said: “It's a small expression of our great admiration and gratitude for Paschal, a Dean Crowe legend, so that generations to come can appreciate everything that he has given to this wonderful place.

"He has been involved with the theatre in various capacities, as a lighting volunteer, a manager, a valuable member of the board of directors. This is a recognition for all these roles, and for the way he has steered the theatre."

When the Westmeath Independent contacted him, Paschal shared that his association with the Dean Crowe Hall (as it was called at the time) began in 1964, when Athlone Musical Society (AMS), which he was a part of, decided to move from St Mary's Hall to the Dean Crowe.

“It was a parochial hall at the time. I was part of the AMS as a lighting apprentice. Padraig Stuart, one of my uncles, was managing the Dean Crowe Hall. He got me involved in the shows that were on. So I began volunteering at the Dean Crowe. When I started, I didn't know it would go on for this long,” said Paschal.

Under his leadership, the stage at the Dean Crowe Theatre has witnessed countless shows of Feile Ceoil, local schools, the All Ireland Drama festival, and many more.

He fondly recalled controlling lighting for the Tops of the Town competitions. These hugely popular competitions gave amateur singers, dancers, comedians, stage artists from around Ireland a national stage, with the Dean Crowe serving as the Athlone location for the competition.

Paschal recounted: “I did lighting for Tops of the Town. It was a very popular show, every show was a full house. That was a great experience, we got to be in the All Ireland finals in 1978 at Cork Opera House.”

Paschal explained that lighting and control room handling was very different six decades ago.

“Lighting has advanced so much from the time we did it back in the 70s. Back then it was a two-people job, where we would manually handle the lights and move around the stage. It has gotten better and more convenient in present times.

“I truly enjoyed working with my colleague Tommy Martin, who has now passed on.”

Another professional association he cherishes is when he handled lighting for English magician Paul Daniels. “He was a most professional and very entertaining artiste. It was a pleasure to do the lighting for him,” Paschal shared.

While many feel that one of his main legacies is the refurbishment of the theatre, Paschal wears the revival of pantomime on his sleeve with great flair.

“I look back with great fondness at the way the theatre has grown. There was a time when pantomime had almost died in Athlone. In 2004 I went to the treasurer of the board and made a request to start it again.

“We revived it and now Panto is a hallmark of the Dean Crowe Theatre,” said Paschal, who retired in 2020.