REVIEWS

Ian Ferguson has been featured in more than 300 articles, interviews, previews and reviews in publications across Canada. For Book Reviews please visit the AUTHOR page.

Sin City (Victoria)

 "Ferguson is a brilliant director. ..  the work of pure improvisation, and pure genius...It’s fast, funny and completely entrancing to watch actors at the top of their game, veterans of vaudeville and improv, as they hurl themselves willing into situations demanding complete trust in the abilities of their fellow performers.  Whatever you thought you knew about improv – throw it out the window, erase it from your memory, and grab your tickets quick before other theatre patrons realize just what a treasure we now have in the city. "- J. LaCouvee

"Ferguson has assembled a talented group of improvisers that are bound to leave you in stitches. . .  I recommend jumping on board with these lunatic carnies. It’s sure to be an entertaining ride. " - K.C. The Marble Theatre Review  
 " . . .it's impossible for me to phonetically emulate the phlegmy, Chewbacca-esque vowels of Ian Ferguson, the creator, announcer and director of the live, improvised soap opera Sin City: Carnies. The one-liners are zingers, the carnies are zany, and the improvised musical accompaniment lends a period-appropriate zeitgeist to the pieceEven if you missed the premiere, Ferguson's booming summary of the show to date will get you on track and feeling as if you're under a big top, ready for anything. " - The Martlet  

SIN CITY THE LIVE IMPROVISED SOAP OPERA (Toronto):

“Monday’s headspinningly hilarious opening night of its fourth season proved worth the wait - creator/director Ian Ferguson and his crackerjack team call the shots with sudden blackouts, suggestive melodies and orders barked to the actors from offstage.Great timing and telepathy can take this often uneven art to the top”
-Leatrice Spevack, The Toronto Star (Nov. 22, 2001)

“Sin City is turning comedy fans into comedy junkies - each episode is self-contained and hilarious in and of itself.”
-Pete Nowak, The Globe and Mail (Spring 2001)

“Call it Toronto’s biggest underground hit - the capacity crowd was in stitches -it can be said with complete confidence that this is improv, though it’s improv taken to new heights.”
-Leatrice Spevack, The Toronto Star (Oct. 18, 2000)

“Working with scenes set up by director/ narrator Ian Ferguson, the show’s performers improvise to move the plot forward, sometimes in hilariously unlikely directions. The show should evolve into a survival of the funniest. Can’t wait to see what happens.” -Glenn Sumi, NOW magazine (Oct. 2000)

“Sin City could just be the best comedy improvisational show to hit Toronto in a decade.”
-Leatrice Spevack, The Toronto Star (June 10, 1999)

DIE-NASTY THE LIVE IMPROVISED SOAP OPERA:
“It’s the end of an era. Edmonton’s famous publicity weasel is off to Toronto. DIE-NASTY has become the most successful show in town.”
-Mike Ross, The Edmonton Sun (Aug. 16, 1996)

“The laughs come fast and furious as director Ian Ferguson stops the action every so often with bizarre plot twists and goofy stage directions - the show has cult fans - their fanaticism borders on terrifying.”
-Adrian Lacky, Edmonton Sun (August 1996)

“Ian Ferguson is larger than life - DIE-NASTY is a Monday night phenomenon.”
-Colin MacLean, The Edmonton Sun (Sept. 15, 1995)

“Die Laughing - it’s a hoot, often leaving you helpless with laughter and wondering how anyone’s comic synapses can fire that fast.”
-Colin MacLean, The Edmonton Sun (Nov.1, 1994)

SPRING THAW SKETCH SERIES:
“SPRING THAW 94 is a snappy, good-natured topical affair.”
-Liz Nicholls, The Edmonton Journal, (March 1994)

“Thaw Melts Targets - Ian Ferguson and company continue to go for the incorrect jugular.”
-Dave Cameron, Edmonton Sun (March 1994)

“The rudest satire and the most shameless hucksters in town are back.”
-Liz Nicholls, The Edmonton Journal, (May 9, 1992)

“Political sketch comedy at its best.”
-Danny Lineham, Real Estate Weekly (May 9, 1991)

“P.S. YOU GOTTA WONDER is the most original, innovative comedy going on in Edmonton.”
-Jeff Craig, The Edmonton Sun (April 21, 1991)

Praise for PLAYWRITING
“NAMING THE ANIMALS is an intensely charged look at street life in Edmonton’s north side. This production warrants lineups, standing room only, thunderous applause.”
-Margaret McPherson, Edmonton (March 1996)

“Ian Ferguson’s new comedy THE DAUGHTERS OF JUDY LAMARSH is an interesting and funny play, filled with insightful observations on growing up.”
-Mike Ross, The Edmonton Sun (Dec. 3, 1993)

“I dwell on this matter of anger because it’s what LASKY’S FORTUNE does best -Ferguson’s writing in this department is spare, funny, acid.”
-Liz Nicholls, The Edmonton Journal (March 27, 1993)

“CLOSETFUL OF NAVY BLUES is cleverly written and skilfully produced - oh ya, and it’s pretty funny too.”
-John Lyons, Winnipeg Free Press (July 21, 1992)

“Rich and moving, UNCLE JOE AGAIN - playwright Ian Ferguson’s latest premiere at Theatre Network - makes large, familiar questions of life seem fresh again.”
-John Charles, The Edmonton Sun (Feb.10, 1991)

“ELEPHANT SHOES continually defies expectations in a wry and knowing way - a beautifully written first play”
-Liz Nicholls, The Edmonton Journal (April 7, 1990)

“FIRST STAGE is well worth watching for its well-aimed satiric shots at Canadian theatre.”
-James Adams, Edmonton Journal (Aug. 22, 1986)

Praise for ACTING
“This outrageous chuckle-fest is a very palpable hit - this trimmed down TWELFTH NIGHT has Ian Ferguson’s Toby Belch as a leather jacketed scoundrel who pours beer into his snorkel tube.”
-Adrian Chamberlin, Victoria Times-Colonist (May 23, 2004)

“Ian Ferguson as Sir Toby Belch is amusing, with a highly mobile face.”
-John Charles, The Edmonton Sun (July 20, 1990)

“Ian Ferguson plays a wonderful stage drunk in the role of Sir Toby Belch because he possesses a face that’s rubbery and a delivery that never misses.”
-Marc Horton, The Edmonton Journal (July 21, 1990)

“ In THE LAST BUS - Ferguson is a very funny rowdy.”
-John Charles, The Edmonton Sun (Feb. 6, 1987)

“His older brother Gary is an unemployed video-game fanatic and drunkard, played almost too convincingly, by Ian Ferguson.”
-Connie Nakonechny, Saskatoon (March 1987)