CRITICS' AWARDS FOR THEATRE IN SCOTLAND

Press release 10 May 2012

NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR SCOTLAND’S CELEBRATION OF THEATRE

 

AWARDS CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE AT TRON THEATRE, GLASGOW, SUNDAY 10TH JUNE AT 3.00PM

 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW: www.tron.co.uk

 

NEW AWARD INTRODUCED TO MARK 10TH ANNIVERSARY: The CATS Whiskers

 

FLAGSHIP BROADCASTER PROUD TO SUPPORT SCOTTISH TALENT

Today, Thursday 10th May, 2012, 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 visit: www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com

 

NOMINATIONS LIST

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE:

Stuart Bowman as Detective, Watching the Detective, A Play, a Pie and a Pint

Stephen Clyde as Bottom, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Bard in the Botanics

Stephen Kennedy as Edward, Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, Perth Theatre

Michael Nardone as John Morrison, Men Should Weep, National Theatre of Scotland

 

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE, sponsored by STV:

Maureen Beattie as Sister Ursula Mary, 27, National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Lyceum Theatre

Sally Reid as Mona, Days of Wine and Roses, Theatre Jezebel and the Tron Theatre Company

Ann Louise Ross as Mill Laverello, Further than the Furthest Thing, Dundee Rep Theatre

Susan Vidler as Young Woman, Knives in Hens, National Theatre of Scotland

 

BEST ENSEMBLE, sponsored by Equity:

A Christmas Carol, National Theatre of Scotland

Enquirer, National Theatre of Scotland and the London Review of Books

King Lear, Citizens Theatre Company

Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, Perth Theatre

 

BEST DIRECTOR:

James Brining, Further than the Furthest Thing, Dundee Rep Theatre

Dominic Hill, Betrayal, Citizens Theatre Company

Graham McLaren, A Christmas Carol, National Theatre of Scotland

Rachel O'Riordan, Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, Perth Theatre

 

BEST DESIGN:

Graham McLaren (set), Gavin Glover (puppets), Paul Claydon (lighting), A Christmas Carol, National Theatre of Scotland

Colin Richmond (set), Chris Davey (lighting), Betrayal, Citizens Theatre Company

David Shrigley, Nick Millar, Alice Wilson and Susie Hunter (production design), Simon Wilkinson (lighting), Pass the Spoon, Magnetic North Theatre Productions in collaboration with Red Note Ensemble

Neil Warmington (set), Philip Gladwell (lighting), Elizabeth Ogilvie (water), Further than the Furthest Thing, Dundee Rep Theatre

 

BEST MUSIC AND SOUND:

Jon Beales, My Fair Lady, Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Paddy Cunneen, King Lear, Citizens Theatre Company

David Fennessy (composer), Kenny Macleod (sound design), Pass the Spoon, Magnetic North Theatre Productions in collaboration with Red Note Ensemble

Johnny Whoop, BEATS, the Arches

 

BEST TECHNICAL PRESENTATION, sponsored by Northern Light:

A Christmas Carol, National Theatre of Scotland

Five-Minute Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland

Further than the Furthest Thing, Dundee Rep Theatre

The Salon Project, Traverse Theatre Company and Untitled Projects

 

BEST PRODUCTION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE:

The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean, Shona Reppe Puppets

Kes, Catherine Wheels in association with Brunton Theatre

Tall Tales for Small People, National Theatre of Scotland and Communicado

Too Many Penguins, Frozen Charlotte and the MacRobert, Stirling

 

BEST NEW PLAY, sponsored by W&P Longreach – Theatre Insurance Brokers:

David Harrower, A Slow Air, Tron Theatre Company

Kieran Hurley, BEATS, the 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 the London Review of Books

 

FOR BEST PRODUCTION:

A Christmas Carol, National Theatre of Scotland

Further than the Furthest Thing, Dundee Rep Theatre

King Lear, Citizens Theatre Company

The Salon Project, Traverse Theatre Company and Untitled Projects

 

NOMINATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS 2011-12

Betrayal is Dominic Hill's fifth nomination for best director.

Further than the Furthest Thing is James Brining's fourth nomination for best director.

Betrayal is Chris Davey's fourth nomination for best design (lighting).

Further than the Furthest Thing is Neil Warmington's fourth nomination for best design (set).

My Fair Lady is Jon Beales's fourth nomination for best music and sound.

King Lear is Paddy Cunneen's fourth nomination for best music and sound.

 

NOMINATIONS SINCE 2002/3

Since the first year of the CATS in 2002-3, the following companies have received the most nominations:

National Theatre of Scotland: 60

Dundee Rep: 56

Citizens Theatre: 40

Traverse Theatre: 37

Royal Lyceum Theatre: 36

Tron Theatre: 26

Wee Stories: 11

Catherine Wheels: 11

Edinburgh International Festival: 11

The Arches: 11

A Play, a Pie and a Pint: 11

Perth Theatre: 11

Vanishing Point: 9

Communicado: 9

Stellar Quines: 8

Pitlochry Festival Theatre: 8

 

THE NOMINATIONS IN NUMBERS:

• Over 200 productions were considered for nominations

• 123 were eligible for Best New Play

• 36 of those productions were created for children and young people

• 23 shows have reached the final nominations stage

 

The CATS judging panel for 2012 is made up of: Mary Brennan (The Herald), Anna Burnside (The Independent), Mark Brown (The Sunday Herald and the Daily Telegraph), Neil Cooper (The Herald), Michael Cox (acrossthearts.co.uk), Robert Dawson Scott (The Times), Thom Dibdin (The Stage), Mark Fisher (The Guardian), Joyce McMillan (The Scotsman), Allan Radcliffe (The List), Gareth K Vile (The Skinny) and Joy Watters (acrossthearts.co.uk).

 

LISTINGS

What: Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland

When: Sunday 10th June at 3.00pm

Where: Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB 
Tickets: £15 (includes a glass of fizz pre- and post-show)

Box Office: 0141 552 4267 / www.tron.co.uk

For further information on the CATS visit www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. CATS organisers would like to thank The Mackintosh Foundation, the charity set up by theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh to promote and develop theatrical, musical and dramatic arts, for its pledge of £3,000 over three years to support this unique event. From 2012, BBC Scotland Radio Drama has entered into a three-year relationship with the Awards.  In addition, technical services company Northern Light, insurance specialists W&P Longreach have each donated £500 a year until 2012 to support the individual awards for Best Technical Presentation, Best Male Performance and Best New Play, while media company STV has pledged £500 a year for five years to support the award for Best Female Performance. The list of sponsors also includes Equity which is supporting the award for Best Ensemble. Equity has kindly pledged £500 to support the award for three years. The ceremony will be sponsored by arts and entertainments publication The List.

www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com

2. The Tron Theatre Company is currently under the artistic leadership of Andy Arnold. The Tron Theatre presents the people of Glasgow and the West of Scotland with outstanding professional productions of the finest new writing of the last ten years, with an emphasis on world, UK and Scottish premieres. Recent productions include Plume, A Slow Air, Staircase, Valhalla, Sea and Land and Sky, Dirty Paradise, The Government Inspector, The City, Defender of the Faith, Like the Rain, Bliss and Mud.  This is in addition to the Tron’s justly celebrated pantomimes, most recently Mr Merlin’s Pure Magic Panto, Flo White, Ya Beauty and the Beast, Mother Bruce, Eeting Beauty and Wullie Whittington, which have acquired something of a cult following.  

The Tron is also an established receiving theatre on the small-middle scale, as well as a major venue for many of Glasgow's festivals including Celtic Connections, Glasgow International Jazz Festival, Glasgow International Comedy Festival, the Merchant City Festival and Glasgay! www.tron.co.uk

3. 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.

For further press information or images please contact:

Wendy Grannon

Tel: +44 (0) 07916 137 632 E: wendy@wendygrannon.co.uk

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