The Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS), announced the nominations for the country’s celebration of theatre.

Of the 202 productions considered for nomination, 123 were eligible for Best New Play and 36 were created for children and young people.  A total of 23 shows have reached the final nominations stage and the winners will be announced at the CATS Awards ceremony on Sunday 10th June, 2012 at Glasgow’s Tron Theatre.

BEST NEW PLAY nominations, sponsored by W&P Longreach–Theatre Insurance Brokers include David Harrower, A Slow Air, Tron Theatre Company; Kieran Hurley, BEATS, Arches; Ronan O’Donnell, Angels, A Play, a Pie and a Pint; Andrew O’Hagan, Vicky Featherstone, John Tiffany, Paul Flynn, Deborah Orr and Ruth Wishart,  Enquirer, National Theatre of Scotland and London Review of Books.

The National Theatre of Scotland has emerged as the leader in this year’s Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland nominations, shortlisted twelve times in no less than nine of the ten Awards categories.  Dundee Rep and the Citizens Theatre Company have plenty to celebrate both have five nominations.  Companies receiving nominations for the first time include Bard in the Botanics, Frozen Charlotte, Shona Reppe Puppets, Theatre Jezebel and Untitled Projects.

The BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE category will be hard fought as Maureen Beattie (Sister Ursula, 27, National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Lyceum Theatre), Sally Reid (Mona, Days of Wine and Roses, Theatre Jezebel and the Tron Theatre Company), Ann Louise Ross (Mill Laverello, Further than the Furthest Thing, Dundee Rep Theatre) and Susan Vidler (Young Woman, Knives in Hens, National Theatre of Scotland) compete for the coveted title.

The competition for BEST MALE PERFORMANCE is no less fierce as Stuart Bowman (Watching the Detective, A Play, a Pie and a Pint), Stephen Clyde (Bottom, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bard in the Botanics), Stephen Kennedy (Edward, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Perth Theatre) and Michael Nardone (John Morrison, Men Should Weep, National Theatre of Scotland) wait to find out who this year’s victor will be.

Joyce McMillan, co-convener, CATS said: “This year’s CATS nominations celebrate a dazzling range of work, created by more than 20 companies across Scottish theatre.  The list emphasises the growing creative impact of the National Theatre of Scotland, both through its own distinctive work and in co-productions with other companies; it also celebrates the continuing high achievement of Dundee Rep, and a fine start to Dominic Hill’s directorship at the Citizens Theatre.

“And through nominations for events like the National Theatre of Scotland’s Five Minute Theatre, Untitled’s Salon Project and Magnetic North’s Pass the Spoon, it also reflects the exciting ways in which theatre is changing, with artists exploring the myriad possibilities of online technology, and boldly venturing into the borderlands between theatre and installation, theatre and music, theatre and visual art.”

To mark the CATS 10th anniversary year, a new discretionary award known as The CATS WHISKERS, will be given in recognition of an outstanding contribution to theatre in Scotland that isn’t already reflected in the other awards.  The winner will be announced on Monday 4th June, 2012.

CATS co-convenor, Mark Fisher said: “As this is the 10th edition of the CATS awards, we felt it was time to celebrate those contributions to theatre in Scotland that go beyond the scope of our existing awards. The CATS Whiskers Award is our way of giving an extra round of applause to the most remarkable achievements.”

In another exciting addition to CATS’ respected group of sponsors, BBC Scotland Radio Drama has entered into a three year relationship with the awards.  BBC Scotland Radio Drama, based in Glasgow, delivers over 60 hours of programme commissions every year to four BBC radio networks – Radio Scotland, Radio 4, Radio 4 Extra and Radio 3.

Bruce Young, Editor, Radio Drama, BBC Scotland said:  “BBC Scotland Radio Drama is delighted to support the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland.

“We’re both looking to identify and celebrate Scottish talent, and I hope this agreement with CATS will help us to share the best work of actors and writers in Scotland with the radio drama audience throughout the UK.”

Now in its tenth year, the CATS celebrate the actors, directors, playwrights and other artists who have made the most thrilling contributions to the industry.

Any piece of professional theatre substantially produced in Scotland in the twelve months from May to April (the natural break in the theatre year) is eligible. This year’s ceremony will be held for first time at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow on Sunday 10th June at 3.00pm.

Andy Arnold, Artistic Director, Tron Theatre said: “We’re delighted that the Tron has been chosen as the host venue for this year’s CATS Awards, not only for the opportunity to be part of such a glittering event in the cultural calendar; but also to see some of the finest creative talents in Scottish theatre today being recognised for their work.”

The event is open to members of the public and offers a unique opportunity for audiences to come together with the cream of the Scottish theatre community to celebrate the contribution that work produced in Scotland makes to the cultural life of the country.

Tickets cost £15 (including live entertainment, entry to the awards ceremony, a pre and post show glass of fizz and light refreshments) and can be purchased through the Tron Theatre, box office.

For further information on the CATS and full list of nominations, visit: www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com

Source: CATS