One of the most popular viewers theatres of St. Petersburg is the State drama theatre "Shelter comedian", which is located in the heart of the city on Garden street at number 27. Its auditorium for 200 people. The repertoire of the troupe of more than 20 performances, including performances of works of foreign and Russian classics.

Founder of the theater "Shelter comedian" - actor Yuri Tomaszewski, embodied in his creation of the idea of a one-man show. Performances of prose and poetry for one actor carried the audience into the amazing atmosphere of literary St. Petersburg of the early 20th century. Opened the theatre was February 19, 1987.

When the theatre just announced itself in a small cellar on Gogol street (Small Sea), in the auditorium of the 60 seats were poetic and musical meetings and evenings with famous actors and performers of our time – Elena Kamburova, Natalia Danilova, Alla Pavlova Lanovoy, Igor Volkova, Tatiana Kabanova, Sergei Dreiden and many others. Very soon intimate theater has become a haven for those Directors and actors, who for various reasons are unable to realize their creative ideas on other stages.

Since 1995, at the head of the theatre – Director Viktor Minkov. With the support and assistance of famous cultural figures of St. Petersburg in 1997, the theatre "Shelter comedian" has found a permanent home in the building on Garden street, No. 27. From that moment, the "Shelter comedian" life begins full-fledged repertory theatre.

After 13 years, V. Minkov introduces innovative idea in the work of the theatre, and "Shelter comedian" becomes the first in the Russian Federation the theatre without a permanent company. Born symbiosis contract Western and Russian repertory theatres. The theatre operates as a state enterprise. The repertoire is fully preserved, but in every new project comes a new team in which all the actors, the Director, the artists are under contract. Because of this the audience had a unique opportunity to see on one stage leading Russian actors in the performances staged by the best Directors of the country.

In the theater today, made of 100 productions. Annual plan – at least 4 Premier. Performances of the theater "Shelter comedian" are very popular with spectators and was awarded multiple prestigious awards festivals both in Russia and abroad.

In addition, the theatre "Shelter comedian" often acts as an organizer of international projects. Thus, in 2005, with the support of the theatre hosted the first international theatre festival "the disciples of the Master". His purpose was to represent the best works of pupils of the famous Russian Directors. It was devoted mainly to the works by the students of the workshop P. N. Fomenko. Next year were held shows of works by graduates of the C. M. Ginkas in 2007 - with the works of the students of M. A. Zakharov, and in 2008 – productions students workshop G. M. Kozlov. At festival 2009 presented the work of leading theatre schools of St. Petersburg and Moscow. Festival 2010 was the display of works of theatre of Krakow, Bratislava, Vilnius, Helsinki and St. Petersburg.

Another successful project "Shelter comedian" – "Petersburg theatre season", which is a major cultural and political action. This project is not commercial. It oversees V. Matvienko, and funded by the government of the city. The main objective of the "St. Petersburg theatre season": to acquaint European audiences with the success of the theatrical life of St. Petersburg. The first Theatrical season began in November 2007 in Prague. He has caused a wide public response, becoming a kind of bridge between the theatres of the Czech Republic and Russia. In December 2008, he has continued in Berlin. In 2009, "Petersburg theatre season" was held in Finland, in 2010 in Israel, in 2011 in Italy.

Theatre "the shelter of the comedian" jointly with the Committee on culture and independent theatre critics Z. Zaretsky and A. Pronin, has established "the St. Petersburg theater award for young "BREAKTHROUGH". It is awarded to actors, Directors, artists, theatre managers under 35 years who have reached significant heights in the field of dramatic art.