Theatre awards shortlist revealed

Sunshine on Leith is nominated for five awards, including best production

Dundee Rep heads the field with 13 nominations across nine categories in the 2008 Critics' Awards for Theatre In Scotland (CATS) shortlists.

Four of the Rep's productions have been nominated for awards, including Sunshine on Leith and Peer Gynt.

The Citizens Theatre in Glasgow is nominated in five categories, as is Edinburgh's Wee Stories.

The award winners will be announced in a ceremony at Oran Mor in Glasgow on 15 June.

The organisers of the awards said 2008 had been a bumper year for new plays and scripts, with 103 works premiered across the country.

"I am delighted that of just over 30 funded producing companies in Scotland, 17 feature somewhere on this year's shortlists," CATS co-coordinator Joyce McMillan said.

'Strong and committed'

"I think that shows the strength-in-depth of Scottish theatre, and the fact that although there are some obvious front-runners among the nominees, even the smallest professional companies can produce work that competes with the best.

"We believe Scottish-based theatre companies make a great contribution to the life of this country every year, and we are pleased to play a part in making sure that their achievement is recognised, and enjoyed by everyone."

The awards were open to any professional theatre work produced in Scotland between 1 May 2007 and 30 April 2008.

James Brining, artistic director and chief executive of Dundee Rep, said: "We are absolutely delighted that our work in the last year has been recognised in this way.

"We have a very dedicated and talented staff at the Rep and these nominations are a measure of just how strong and committed the team is."