DUNDEE YESTERDAY further confirmed its position at the forefront of the arts when it hosted the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland at Discovery Point, writes Joy Watters, arts reporter.

There was also good news for Perth Theatre when Liam Brennan collected the best actor award for his role as Odon von Horvath in Tales From Hollywood, directed by Ian Grieve in his first production for Perth as artistic director.

Presenting the CATS awards were actress Kate Dickie, fresh from her success in Cannes where the film in which she starred, Red Road, took the Jury Prize, and David MacLennan, co-founder of 7:84 Theatre Company and now 30 years later injecting new blood into Scottish theatre with the A Play, A Pie and A Pint season at Oran Mor in Glasgow.

The ceremony was backed by the City of Discovery Campaign and Councillor Joe Morrow welcomed guests on behalf of the Lord Provost.

He told the gathering, “Within the regeneration of our city, we have placed culture and the arts at the heart of our efforts and we are proud of our thriving cultural quarter, which has at its core the wonderful Dundee Rep and the much praised centre for contemporary arts. Within the local authority and the campaign, we fully recognise the vital role that the arts play in the life of a community and in helping a city regenerate.”

The past year saw the introduction of work by the National Theatre of Scotland, both in its own productions and in co-productions where it has enabled existing companies to operate on a bigger and more ambitious scale. Its first production Home was presented in venues the length and breadth of the country, each production having its own take on the title.

The best new play title was taken by David Harrower’s Blackbird with the award being accepted by Edinburgh International Festival director Brian McMaster.

In the best children’s show, Dundee Rep won two of the four nominations, for Dr Korczak’s Example and Cinderella but ultimately it was Home:East Lothian by the National Theatre of Scotland with Brunton Theatre and East Lothian Council that took the award. Home:East Lothian also took best design award.

The best technical presentation award went to Roam, the ground-breaking production by Grid Iron and The National Theatre of Scotland, which took the audience round Edinburgh Airport.

It was off to the Shetlands for the winner of the best music award where Hugh Nankivell lifted the prize for Home:Shetland produced by the National Theatre of Scotland with Shetland Islands Council.

Grid Iron/NTS’s Roam also took the best ensemble award and the best production award.

Best actor (female) went to a delighted Cara Kelly for her eponymous role as Molly Sweeney at The Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, while Liam Brennan accepted his best actor award for Tales From Hollywood at Perth Theatre, with the words, “Are you sure?”

He said it had been a brave play for Perth to put on and thanked director Ian Grieve.

Convener of CATS Robert Dawson Scott thanked the City of Discovery Campaign and Mr Morrow. He also thanked Dundee Rep chief executive James Brining for his support, speaking of the city’s role as “a major player in Scotland’s arts.”