On May 10, 2006 the shortlists for the ten categories of the 2005-06 CATS were announced. There is a link to each company’s website or email where possible at its first mention.
Unveiling the shortlists Robert Dawson Scott, Convenor of CATS, said: “The first few months of the National Theatre of Scotland have proved to be both a popular and critical success. It is in line with its innovative model that all its nominations are the result of partnerships and co-productions with the existing talent pool. Once again we were struck by the quality of work being produced across the country, from Shetland to East Lothian and from large and small companies.”
191 productions were considered for the 2005-06 CATS, including 103 new plays and 12 productions for children/young people. By comparison for the 2005-06 CATS a total of 168 productions were considered, 73 of which were new plays and 25 for children and young people.
Best Male Performance
- Liam Brennan as Odon von Horvath in Tales from Hollywood by Christopher Hampton – Perth Theatre.
- Dugald Bruce-Lockhart as Mephistopheles in Goethe’s Faust Parts One & Two adapted by John Clifford- Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
- Andrew Clark as various characters in The Devil’s Larder – Grid Iron.
- Tommy Mullins as Rob in Stacy by Jack Thorne – Hush Productions.
Best Female Performance
- Carol Ann Crawford as Mill in Further than the Furthest Thing by Zinnie Harris – Prime Productions.
- Cara Kelly as Molly Sweeney in Molly Sweeney by Brian Friel – The Citizens Theatre Company.
- Jill Riddiford as Deborah in A Kind Of Alaska by Harold Pinter – The Arches Theatre Company, Glasgow.
- Cath Whitefield as Anna in Witch/Stepmother in Home:East Lothian by Gill Robertson – National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with The Brunton and East Lothian Council.
Best Ensemble
- The cast of The Devil’s Larder – Grid Iron.
- The cast of Roam – Grid Iron/ National Theatre of Scotland.
- The cast of Tales from Hollywood – Perth Theatre.
- The cast of Ubu the King Dundee Rep/ Tron/BITE:05/Barbican/Young Vic.
Best Director
- Ian Grieve for Tales from Hollywood – Perth Theatre.
- Ben Harrison for The Devil’s Larder – Grid Iron.
- Jemima Levick for A Christmas Carol – Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
- Gregory Thompson for Molly Sweeney – The Citizens Theatre, Glasgow.
Best Design
- Tom Piper for Ubu the King – Dundee Rep / Tron / BITE:’05 / Barbican / Young Vic.
- Karen Tennent for Home: East Lothian, National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with The Brunton and East Lothian Council.
- Clifton Doliver (set) and Joan Hickson (costume) for Roam, Grid Iron/National Theatre of Scotland.
- Philip Witcomb for Cinderella, Dundee Rep.
Best Music and Sound
- David Paul Jones for The Devil’s Larder – Grid Iron.
- Hugh Nankivell for Home: Shetland – National Theatre of Scotland in Partnership with the Shetland Islands Council.
- Philip Pinsky for Roam – Grid Iron/National Theatre of Scotland.
- Robert Pettigrew for Nighthawks – A Play, A Pie and A Pint.
Best Technical Presentation
- Falling – Poorboy/National Theatre of Scotland.
- Faust, Parts 1 and 2 – Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
- Kind Hearts and Coronets – Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
- Roam – Grid Iron/National Theatre of Scotland.
Best Production for Children and Young People
- Cinderella – Dundee Rep.
- Dr Korczak’s Example – Dundee Rep.
- Home: East Lothian – National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with the Brunton and East Lothian Council..
- Mancub – Vanishing Point.
Best New Play
- Blackbird by David Harrower – Edinburgh International Festival.
- Goethe’s Faust, Parts 1 and 2 adaptaed by John Clifford – Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
- The Importance of Being Alfred by Louise Welsh – A Play, A Pie and A Pint.
- Wired by Davey Anderson – A Play, A Pie and A Pint.
Best Production
- Blackbird – Edinburgh International Festival.
- Faust Parts 1 & 2 – Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
- Molly Sweeney – The Citizens Theatre, Glasgow.
- Home: East Lothian – Catherine Wheels, National Theatre of Scotland production.
- Roam – Grid Iron/ National Theatre of Scotland production.
The awards panel consisted of: Mary Brennan, Mark Brown, Alan Chadwick, Neil Cooper, Steve Cramer, Shona Craven, Robert Dawson Scott, Thom Dibdin, Mark Fisher, Thelma Good, Sarah Jones, Joyce McMillan and Joy Watters.