An experimental theatre group from St Petersburg is one of the surprise hits at Edinburgh.

In the early years of the 20th century St Petersburg was an artistically dynamic city, from where Russian art, ballet and music set off to conquer Western Europe. Although it hasn't been the capital of Russia since the Revolution, it remains Russia's most beautiful city and is the home of a three-person experimental theatre group, Akhe, which has received rave reviews at Edinburgh.

The group, two men and a woman, present two shows — White Cabin and Fluff and Feathers under the title Pooh-Prah. Both shows are highly improvised and fall into the category of physical theatre rather than straightforward drama.

This is Akhe's first visit to Britain, a country which has always had something of a love affair with Russian culture, particularly ballet but also Russian novels, poetry and plays — particularly Chekhov. It looks as if this theatre group will be similarly taken up — perhaps being invited to London for a short run.

— by Paul Webb Theatrenow