The Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland are an annual event awarding performances "substantially produced in Scotland, or developed, rehearsed and premiered in Scotland".
Awards ceremony
The ceremony is itinerant in terms of location, switching between theatre venues in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and elsewhere – for example, in 2007 the ceremony was hosted by Pitlochry Festival Theatre, while in 2019 the event was held at Tramway in Glasgow. The Awards Ceremony, which normally takes place on the second Sunday in June, is open to the general public, not just members of Scotland's theatre industry. As of 7 July 2020, no announcement has yet been made regarding any awards covering the 2019-20 season, which was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.
Judges
The judges are invited critics who write regularly on theatre across Scotland, for print and/or online publications.
Award categories
The first CATS, in June 2003 announced five awards: Best Production; Best Male Performance; Best Female Performance; Best Design; and Best New Play. Five additional categories were quickly added: Best Director; Best Technical Presentation; Best Production for Children and Young People; Best Ensemble; and Best Music and Sound. There is also the special "CATS Whiskers", which is awarded to individuals or organisations whom the judges believe have made a significant contribution to theatre in Scotland. The most recent recipient of this award – which is granted only occasionally – was Muriel Romanes in 2016, for "supporting and strengthening women's role in Scottish theatre", most notably as the first artistic director of Stellar Quines Theatre Company. Previous winners range from actors David Tennant to Blythe Duff, from productions Blackbird to Black Watch and from theatre companies Catherine Wheels Theatre Company to the National Theatre of Scotland.
Awards for 2018-2019
The 17th CATS for 2018-2019 were announced at a ceremony hosted at Tramway, on Sunday 9 June. The guest presenter was former Citizens Theatre Artistic DirectorGiles Havergal. Best New Play: David Ireland for Ulster American, Traverse Theatre Company Best Production: Ulster American, Traverse Theatre Company Best Female Performance: Lucianne McEvoy, Ulster American, Traverse Theatre Company Best Male Performance: John Michie, The Mack, A Play, a Pie and a Pint. Best Ensemble: Lost at Sea, Perth Theatre at Horsecross Arts and Morna Young Best Director: Ian Brown, Lost at Sea, Perth Theatre at Horsecross Arts and Morna Young Best Design: Shona Reppe, Ailsa Paterson, Selene Cochrane and Chris Edser, for Baba Yaga, Imaginate and Windmill Theatre Company Best Music and Sound: Claire McKenzie, Scott Gilmour and Richard Thomas, My Left Right Foot – The Musical, Birds of Paradise and National Theatre of Scotland Best Technical Presentation: The End of Eddy, Untitled Projects and the Unicorn Theatre Best Production for Children and Young People: Stick by Me, by Andy Manley and Ian Cameron, produced by Red Bridge Arts.
