The theater "Buff" in St. Petersburg was opened in autumn 1870 near the famous Alexandrinsky Theatre then. "Buff" - theater based repertoire is dramatic and musical performances. "Buff" - a theatrical genre (Latin for "fun, mischief"), which combines comedy, music, song, dance and musical.

Initially Petersburg theater "Buff" existed as a circus, but the idea of ​​the architect N. Lvov was designed so that, if necessary, easily turned into a theater. After an unexpected fire theater building was rebuilt and given the well-known in the field of theatrical Moscow playwright and actor Alexander Fedorov. He received permission to stage performances, but with the caveat that all performances will go on a foreign language, on the one hand, played a positive role - in the performances of famous actors to participate in Italy and France. But on the other hand, this restriction was one of the determining factors in the formation of the style of the theater: to be understood by the audience, the action on the stage contained a lot of music, dance, acrobatics and magic tricks. Accordingly, the repertoire presented was relevant at the time Ferris, extravaganza, chanson.

It probably was the determining reason for its popularity among the public of Petersburg of the late 19th-early 20th century. The popularity of the theater show dedicated to his poetry Nekrasov and Agnivtseva, as well as mention of it in the novel "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy.

The stage of the theater "Buff" is the first, which took the famous operettas such famous composers as Imre Kalman (operetta "The Circus Princess" and "Silva") and Jacques Offenbaah ("The Beautiful Helen"). The theater hosted the stars of Parisian operetta: Anna Zhyudik, Hortense Schneider, Louise Philippe. Thus, the public could see on stage almost all operetta, had popularity in Paris. There were popular comedians Davydov and monks, as well as Grigory Yaron. Hall theater has excellent acoustics allows viewers even from the last rows perfectly hear every word spoken by the actors.

The theater burned down suddenly in 1872. The ensuing series of repeated change of owners, unfortunately, is not quite a positive impact on the level of popularity of the theater. For a while he worked in the theater as the Fontanka "Summer Buff" which put their operetta mostly provincial theater groups.

After the 1917 revolution it was closed due to excessive "levity".

The revival of the theater dates back to 1983 year. Then a well-known artist and teacher Isaac R. Shtokbant released rate entertainers St. Petersburg State Academy of Theatrical Art and organized a troupe with the intention of opening teatr- cabaret. As the title of the theater this idea was not accepted by Soviet officials were invited to the title "Buff", which was approved. Following the pre-revolutionary traditions of the first theater troupe all its seasons except winter, often played on stage in the Izmailovo garden that Fontanka.

Now (since 2010) is located in the new theater, its own building, located at St. Petersburg, Zanevsky ave., House 26, building 3, and impresses with its design. The theater has several halls: Great Hall, Cabaret-BUFF, Buffiki, and mirrored living room. The building is located where once housed a cinema "Ohta". Transformed the Great Hall is equipped with modern equipment, allowing to translate into reality, even the most daring ideas directors.

Today's theater troupe - graduates of the Academy over the years. Among them are many Honored Artist of Russia, laureate of the contest entertainers. Performances are calculated on an adult audience and children. According to the degree of diversity of genres with the theater "Buff" is probably beats any other theater in St. Petersburg.