Franz Schafranek

Franz Schafranek (February 6, 1930 – June 4, 1991) was the founder of Vienna's English Theatre.

To study theatre, he moved to Austria to Sweden post-World War II. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Stockholm, where he attracted the attention of Ingmar Bergman. After serving under the famed Swedish filmmaker as assistant director, Schafranek went on to Berlin. He gained insights and experience working with Bertolt Brecht at his "Theater on the Schiffbauerdamm."

He soon moved back to Vienna, and founded Vienna's English Theatre with his wife.

Within a few years, the theatre had become a massive success in the Austrian theatrical scene. He staged world premieres of works by renowned American playwrights, Tennessee Williams, William Saroyan and Edward Albee, as well as numerous continental premieres of British and American dramas. He also brought prominent stars of stage and screen to perform on his Josefsgasse stage.

Following the success of the English theatre, he founded the "Theatre Français de Vienne", and in 1985 the "Teatro Italiano di Vienna.”

In June 1991, he unexpectedly died of a heart attack.