Renowned Georgian theatre director Temur Chkheidze died at age 78.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Culture Minister Thea Tsulukiani, and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili offered their condolences to the relatives of Temur Chkheidze.

At various times Temur Chkheidze was director of Municipal Zugdidi Drama Theatre (1965–67); Georgia’s Young Spectators’ Theatre, Tbilisi (1967–70); Tbilisi Academic Rustaveli Theatre (1970–80) as well as artistic director of Academic Marjanishvili Theatre in Tbilisi (1980-91).

While working in theatre, he also taught at the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film at Georgia State University, and, from 1978, he directed Georgian Television Theatre for 12 years.

Chkheidze staged up to 80 dramatic, opera, and television performances in Georgia and overseas, including Teatro Alla Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.