~ History

         Two decades ago in Edmonton a show called DIE-NASTY THE LIVE IMPROVISED SOAP OPERA was created and performed by a diverse cast of incredibly talented actors and improvisors, with direction and leadership provided by playwright Ian Ferguson. Now directed by Dana Andersen, DIE-NASTY is still running and in its 21st season, the recipient of a special Sterling Theatre award and several Canadian Comedy award nominations.  Every season presents a new setting - outer-space, western, a hospital, gangsters, and more. 

After directing the first five seasons, three Soapathons, and one Fringe mini-series, Ian Ferguson and founding cast member Kirsten Van Ritzen moved to Toronto and recreated the magic with an all- star cast of Second City Alumna, entitled SIN CITY THE LIVE IMPROVISED SOAP OPERA. The show became a cult hit among audiences, and a media darling, selling out nearly every performance of its five season run, with a Soapathon and Miniseries as well. It was spun into a CBC-TV special LIQUID SOAPZ, and the troupe was invited to headline at the prestigious Chicago Improv Festival. 

Over the years - and in many different cities - there have been several copy-cat shows that call themselves a "Live Soap Opera", but work off of scripts, or are parodies of Daytime television. Die-Nasty and Sin City are not parodies of soaps, but a continuing narrative that may be comedic or dramatic, but always compelling. Audiences in Victoria get to experience the original completely improvised format, as  produced by the original creators.

 SIN CITY (Victoria edition) made its debut in February 2011, starring a large cast of amazing local talent. SIN CITY takes improv to a whole new level- improvised theatre that makes audiences laugh and cry - often at the same time.

Ian is best known as the co-author (with his brother Will Ferguson) of the best selling humour book HOW TO BE A CANADIAN. Ian is also the author of VILLAGE OF THE SMALL HOUSES, a novel that won the 2004 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Ian has been a featured reader and speaker at numerous book events. 

Ian trained as an actor at the University of Alberta and later obtained an MFA in Directing from York University.  Ian began his career as a playwright and theatre director and was the Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Union Theatre. Ian created the original DIE-NASTY format, along with a company of amazing improvisors and actors, and was the director for the first five seasons. 

In Victoria, Ian directed LITTLE WOMEN and ANIMAL FARM for Kaleidoscope Theatre, acted in HANA'S SUITCASE and TWELFTH NIGHT, and directed at Kaleidoscope’s annual YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL. Ian creates television with Less Bland Productions, and has a number of writing projects in the works.  www.ianferguson.s5.com