AN awards ceremony that sees Scotland’s theatre critics choose their best performances and performers in the country is to be part-sponsored by STV.
The Glasgow-based broadcaster has agreed to support a category of the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS), which is hosting its annual prize-giving this weekend, in Edinburgh.
STV has pledged £500 a year for five years to support the award for Best Female Performance.
The CATS is an annual awards ceremony which celebrates the very best of theatre in Scotland. First presented seven years ago, the CATS are run voluntarily by Scotland’s professional theatre critics and have become a highlight of the theatrical calendar, honouring the actors, directors and playwrights considered to who have made the most significant contributions to Scottish theatre.
The nominees in the Best Female Performance category, sponsored by STV, include Suzanne Donaldson for The Dark Things, Traverse Theatre; Suzie Ferguson for Sick, Theatre Modo; Cara Kelly for The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Royal Lyceum; and Sian Thomas for The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, Traverse Theatre.
The winners of all the categories will be announced on Sunday at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, with guest presenters, Jonathan Mills, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, and Scottish comedienne, Karen Dunbar.
Says Rob Woodward, STV’s chief executive: “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 nominees include some fantastic Scottish talent and I wish them all the best of luck at this week’s awards ceremony.”
Sunday’s awards ceremony is open to the public. Tickets cost £15 and can be purchased through the Festival Theatre box office – 0131 529 6000 or www.festivaltheatre.org.uk.
