TODAY, the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland announced the winner of a brand new award: the CATS Whiskers, given to celebrate an outstanding achievement in Scottish theatre that isn’t already reflected through the other award categories.
David MacLennan and A Play A Pie and A Pint have scooped this inaugural award for the outstanding achievement of presenting 250 plays in eight years.
Joyce McMillan, co-convener of the CATS, said: “Since 2004, David MacLennan and A Play A Pie and A Pint have transformed the Scottish theatre scene with their brilliant invention of a lunchtime theatre format that allows them – in complete freedom, and without direct public subsidy – to present more than 30 new short plays each year, by a dazzling range of writers from Scotland and across the world.”
McMillan continued: “They have created a whole new dimension of opportunity, both for young writers starting out, and for established writers keen to try something new; and as the seasons have evolved, they have developed them in memorably creative ways, creating a unique relationship with their audience in Glasgow, building long-term partnerships with theatres and companies across Scotland and Europe, presenting international seasons with the National Theatre of Scotland, and extending their own repertoire to include bite-sized summer classics, and not one but two fierce satirical pantomimes a year – oh yes they have!
“It’s been a magnificent and completely unexpected explosion of freewheeling theatrical creativity in Scotland; and long may it continue.”
David MacLennan commented: “I am very touched by this Award and recognise that it is really being given to the whole theatrical community in Scotland whose enthusiasm and support for A Play A Pie and a Pint has made it their success.”
In his own inimitable style, McLennan explains the history of A Play A Pie and A Pint: http://playpiepint.com/?p=1
The CATS Whiskers is a new occasional award and has been introduced as CATS celebrates its tenth year.
The announcement of the CATS Whiskers winner comes ahead of the CATS awards ceremony proper which will take place at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow on Sunday 10th June, 2012.
Of the 202 productions considered for nomination, a total of 23 shows have reached the final nominations stage, the winners of which will be presented by Alan Cumming.
The event is open to members of the public and offers an 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 (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
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
For further press information or images please contact:
Wendy Grannon Tel: +44 (0) 07916 137 632 E: wendy@wendygrannon.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The tenth annual Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) will take place at 3.00pm on Sunday 10th June, 2012 at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow.
For further information on the CATS visit www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com
• 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
Alan Cumming who is starring in Macbeth, the National Theatre of Scotland’s forthcoming play directed by John Tiffany and Andrew Goldberg at Tramway, Glasgow from Wednesday 13th June – Saturday 30th June, 2012, will present the CATS Awards.
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).
The ten CATS categories are:
Best New Play sponsored by W&P Longreach–Theatre Insurance Brokers
Best Male Performance
Best Female Performance sponsored by STV
Best Ensemble sponsored by Equity
Best Director
Best Design
Best Music and Sound
Best Technical Presentation sponsored by Northern Light
Best Show for Children and Young People
Best Production
For a full list if nominees, visit: www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com
2012 marks a new CATS sponsorship deal with BBC Scotland’s Radio Drama Department which joins a roster of sponsors including STV, W&P Longreach–Theatre Insurance Brokers, Equity, the actors union and Northern Light, the specialist theatre suppliers.
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.
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
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Wendy Grannon. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Wendy Grannon
Phone: 07916 137 632
Email: wendy@wendygrannon.co.uk
Website: http://www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com
