Czech mime legend Ctibor Turba dies at 80

Czech mime legend Ctibor Turba has died at the age of 80. A pioneering figure in non-verbal theatre, he helped redefine the genre alongside Boris Hybner in the late 1960s. He also taught for years at Prague’s Academy of Performing Arts and JAMU in Brno, where he founded a studio for clown and physical theatre.

Turba received numerous honours for his work, including the prestigious American Red Shelton Order, the Thalia Award, and the Czech Ministry of Culture Award. He also founded Prague’s Alfred ve dvoře theatre and remained active as a director and teacher.