Showing support: Sian Thomas nominated for Best Female Performance at CATS. Pic: © Richard Campbell
STV has become the first plc to join the growing number of private companies who have chosen to support one of the awards in the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS). The total number of awards sponsored individually is now four, reflecting the growing authority and prestige of the awards now in their seventh full year.
The television company chose to celebrate its return to drama production by pledging its support for the Best Female Performance of the year over the next five years.
Rob Woodward, STV’s Chief Executive, said: “STV is committed to supporting the creative industries in Scotland and we’re delighted to back the prestigious CATS awards for the next five years. This year’s nominations include some fantastic Scottish talent and I wish them all the best of luck at this week’s awards ceremony.”
The nominees in the Best Female Performance category are Suzanne Donaldson for The Dark Things , at the Traverse Theatre; Suzie Ferguson for Theatre Modo's Sick; Cara Kelly for The Beauty Queen of Leenane at the Royal Lyceum; and Sian Thomas for The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.
The award, along with the other nine categories, will be presented at a ceremony in Edinburgh this Sunday at which Jonathan Mills, the director of the Edinburgh internaiotnal Festival and Karen Dunbar, the popular comedienne will be the guest presenters.
Joyce McMillan, CATS Co-convenor, said: “We are delighted to welcome STV’s generous sponsorship of the CATS award for Best Female Performance. As the strength of this year’s shortlist shows, the quality of female performance in Scottish theatre is outstanding and STV’s involvement in this way can only help to strengthen the already powerful relationship between theatre and screen drama in Scotland.”
For further information on CATS, visit www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com. Tickets for the event cost £15 and can be purchased through the Festival Theatre box office – 0131 529 6000 or www.festivaltheatre.org.uk.
