“It’s like Shane Warne giving spin bowling master classes to Canadian cricket players,” said Dr Ashley Wain, lecturer in the Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) about the forthcoming visit by theatre director Leonid Verzub. Mr Verzub will work with VPA students on the Australian premiere of Stars in the Morning Sky, a play made famous by the Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg, Russia. “They are considered the greatest acting ensemble in the world. Leonid and [Maly director] Lev Dodin were classmates and are two of the major figures in world theatre. Both studied under Maria Knebel, who was an assistant to Konstantin Stanislavski and a friend and collaborator with Mikhail Chekhov, Anton Chekhov’s nephew.” Dr Wain said the visit will not only greatly benefit CSU’s VPA students, but anyone who would like to come along and observe the rehearsals. “Leonid’s mastery of the Stanislavski technique is unique in Australia.”