Press release 3 June 2015
Leading comedian and actor Karen Dunbar is to present the 2015 Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) it was announced today. The Chewin’ the Fat star, who has made a reputation as a stage actor with regular appearances in the King’s, Glasgow, panto, and more recently took on the role of Winnie in Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days at the Tron Theatre, will be joined as presenter by Andy Arnold, artistic director of the Tron Theatre and founder of Glasgow’s Arches.
“We are delighted that Karen and Andy are to present this year’s awards,” says CATS co-convenor, Joyce McMillan. “Karen is a real star of both stage and television, well loved by audiences for her appearances in Chewin’ the Fat, and for unforgettable comic performances as a far-from-conventional Fairy Godmother in the Glasgow King’s panto. The range of her work is amazing – she played a key role alongside the dancing Tunnock’s Tea Cakes in last year’s Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, and has recently taken on one of the most challenging of all theatre roles, Winnie in Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days, at the Tron, where we will hold this year’s CATS ceremony.
“Andy Arnold, who directed Karen’s acclaimed performance in that show, has been one of the most important figures in Scottish theatre for more than 30 years, particularly through his trailblazing work at the Arches – whose future is sadly currently under threat – and now through the terrific programme of work he produces and hosts at the Tron, one of the true hubs of Scottish theatre. We are delighted to bring the CATS Awards ceremony back to the Tron for a second time, not least because Andy and his team are such wonderful, supportive hosts to us, as they are to so many Scottish theatre companies and artists.
The 2015 CATS shortlists are dominated by the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, which garnered no fewer than 17 nominations for six different productions, and is recognised in eight of the ten CATS categories.
The 2015 CATS Award ceremony will take place in Glasgow’s Tron Theatre on the afternoon of Sunday 14 June. Tickets, priced £15 available in person, by telephone on 0141 552 4267 and online via www.tron.co.uk
For further information the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland visit:
www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com
Ends
For further CATS information, images and interviews contact Lesley Booth 0779 941 4474 lesley@newcenturypr.com
Listing
Sunday 14 June 2015 at 3.30pm
The Tron Theatre
Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2015
Join the cream of Scottish theatre as the annual award ceremony returns to the Tron. The ceremony is followed by the opportunity to mingle with the winners.
Tickets priced £15 from the box office, by telephone on 0141 552 4267 and online at http://www.tron.co.uk/event/critics-awards-for-theatre-in-scotland-2015