International co-productions, linking Scotland to companies from Naples to Minneapolis, jostle with some of the smallest companies in the country in this year's nominations for the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS).
The Rowan Tree Company from the Borders and Dogstar in Inverness both feature for the first time in the nominations. But heavyweights such as the Traverse, with three of the four nominations in the Best New Play category – Midsummer, Pornography and Cockroach -and Dundee Rep with eight nominations across five categories, including two nominations for Best Production – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Beauty and the Beast lead the field.
“The Traverse Theatre is the country’s most important supporter of new dramatic writing and its success in that role is vital in creating a bright, strong future for Scottish theatre,” said Joyce McMillan, co-convenor of the CATS Awards, and theatre critic of The Scotsman.
“The nominations for the 2009 CATS Awards are a testament to the quality of work being produced across the board,” added Mark Fisher, co-convenor of CATS, who writes for The Guardian and Hi-Arts. “That no fewer than 19 different companies, ranging from the major producing houses to touring companies, are recognised in this year’s shortlists is a tangible demonstration of the growing confidence of the theatrical community across Scotland.”
The 2009 shortlists relfect the growing internationalism in Scottish theatre with five nominations for work produced by Scottish companies in association with international groups. Architecting, the NTS collaboration with New York-based THE TEAM, which has just had its US Premiere, and Peter Pan, Visible Fictions co-production with Minneapolis Children’s Theatre Company, each gained one nomination. Meanwhile Vanishing Point Theatre Company’s Interiors – a co-production with The Traverse and the Naples Theatre Festival, which is performed by a British-Italian cast, is nominated in three categories including Best Production.
“As the critical acclaim overseas for previous CATS winners such as Black Watch and Dissocia has demonstrated, Scotland is producing work of international calibre,” says Joyce McMillan. “The growing number of international collaborations, three of which are recognised in this year’s awards, underscores the extent to which Scottish companies are now seen as being a major force in world theatre.”
For full list of nominations see the CATS website
The 2009 CATS awards will be presented in a glittering ceremony at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh on the evening of Sunday 14 June. Tickets priced £15 (including entertainment, wine and light refreshments), are available In person at 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT; by telephone on 0131 529 6000; and online via www.eft.co.uk/book_tickets
