Russia Fascinated with Pussy Riot Trial Drama

"This is better than going to the theatre!" one member of the audience exclaimed.

The trial of three members of an all-girl punk band charged for performing an anti-Vladimir Putin song in the country's main cathedral has gripped Russians, some describing the court drama as better than the theatre.

Journalists, bloggers, relatives and supporters have crowded since Monday into Moscow's 40-seater Khamovnichesky courtroom for the hearing that included a "witness" who turned out to have viewed the incident online and another who declared the word "feminist" obscene if uttered in a church.