Czech theatre veteran František Laurin dies at 91

František Laurin, a prominent Czech theatre director and educator, died at the age of 91. He led the Vinohrady Theatre from 1988 until May 1990, when actress Jiřina Jirásková succeeded him. Earlier in his career he directed the Drama Department of the National Theatre and later headed the East Bohemian Theatre in Pardubice.

Laurin graduated from the Faculty of Theatre at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU) in 1959 and taught there from the 1960s, becoming head of the department of alternative and puppet theatre in 1981. His students included notable actors of the National Theatre such as Jana Hlaváčová and Viktor Preiss. He also taught acting at the Prague Conservatory. Among his children is actress Sabina Laurinová. In recognition of his contributions to amateur and professional theatre, he received the Minister of Culture’s award and was honoured at the Jiráskův Hronov festival in 2012.