Condon, Richard (1937–91), theatre manager, was born 27 July 1937 in Belfast, the eldest son of a local architect. Educated at St Gerald's College, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, he qualified to study medicine at UCG in 1956; however, while travelling to the university to take up his place, he impulsively joined Costello's Bohemian Players, a touring troup who were camped near Headford, Co. Galway. Over the next eight years he worked in practically every aspect of the theatre, from acting and directing to scene-painting and the box office.
He became manager of the Olympia theatre in Dublin, while also working as joint administrator of the Dublin Theatre Festival. After the Olympia's temporary closure in 1964, he bought its contents with the help of friends and the theatre re-opened a few months later. Having re-established the Olympia as a profit-making enterprise, he took over the Theatre Royal at Norwich in 1972. At the time it was making a loss of £24,000 per annum, but he rapidly turned its fortunes around and within two years it was making a profit of £35,000. He subsequently turned his attentions to the Cromer Pavilion theatre, where he produced a highly successful run of summer seasons. Having gained a reputation for effective and dynamic management, he was engaged to advise up to eight British theatres, including the Theatre Royal, Bath, and the Palace Theatre, Edinburgh. He left Norwich temporarily to manage the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin (c.1986) and to revive the flagging D'Oyly Carte Company (1987–8). On his return to Norwich in 1989 he came into conflict with the board of trustees over the theatre's refurbishment. This led to his resignation in 1990, after which he returned to Ireland, already suffering from the debilitating illness which would lead to his death.
Condon received an honorary BA from the University of East Anglia. Noted for his charm and showmanship, he was a firm believer in self-reliance and consistently argued against the need for government grants or subsidies. He produced shows that, if not critically acclaimed, were popular with the general public. Unmarried, he died 14 October 1991 at his home in Castlebar.