Visit list.co.uk for daily arts & entertainment news BEATS
H e’s one of the busiest actors at work today, preparing for curtain up on his one-man version of Macbeth (see feature, page 18), but Alan re, page 18), but Alan
A Slow Air Cumming is to take time out from rehearsals to host this year’s Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland. The CATS, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary, has a shortlist of some 23 , ten categories, shows over . which include Best Production. r The National Theatre is leader 2 of the shortlisted pack with 12 ns nominations, while productions he the from Dundee Rep and th Citizens Theatre Company both ch. received five nominations each. eld This year’s ceremony will be held at the Tron Theatre on Sun 10 Jun.
Fighting it out for Best New Play are David Harrower’s A Slow Air, Kieran Hurley’s BEATS, Ronan O’Donnell’s Angels, and the National Theatre of Scotland’s Enquirer, created by Andrew O’Hagan, Vicky Featherstone and John Tiffany from interviews by journalists Paul Flynn, Deborah Orr and Ruth Wishart.
The decision on Best Female and Best Male performances should also be a close call with eye- catching turns from Maureen Beattie (27) Sally Reid (Days of Wine and Roses), Ann Louise Ross (Further than the Furthest Thing) and Susan Vidler (Knives in Hens) in the first category, while Stuart Bowman (Watching the Detective), Stephen Clyde (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Stephen Kennedy (Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me) and Michael Nardone (Men Should Weep) battle it out for the latter award. To mark the CATS’ tenth anniversary, a new award called The Cats Whiskers will be given in recognition of an outstanding contribution to theatre in Scotland
National Theatre of Scotland’s Enquirer
that ‘isn’t already reflected in the other awards’. Joyce McMillan an Joyce McMillan and Mark Fisher, co-conveners of the CATS, said: ‘Alan Cumming is part of a game-changing generation of Scottish artists who have helped to transform Scotland’s image on the international stage, and we are thrilled that he will be joining us as our guest presenter. Many of the CATS judges have been following him since his early dazzling work at the RSAMD, and have enjoyed his performances ever since, from the hilarity of Victor and Barry to the Greek tragedy of the National Theatre of Scotland’s The Bacchae. We’re delighted that he’ll be part of our 2012 celebration of theatre in Scotland.’ Awards will also be given for Best Ensemble, Best Director, Best Design, Best Music and Sound, Best Technical Presentation, Best Show for Children and Young People and Best Production. See list.co.uk for this year’s winners as we have them.
For further information and to book tickets please see tron.co.uk criticsawards.theatrescotland.com
The CATS that got the cream
Alan Cumming is confirmed as guest presenter for the tenth annual Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland Words: Anna Millar
VICKY FEATHERSTONE TO LEAVE SCOTLAND FOR ROYAL COURT The artistic director of the National Theatre of Scotland has been announced as the new head of London’s Royal Court Theatre. The List celebrates some of her highlights to date
ENQUIRER (2012) ‘It’s the perfect metaphor for the decline of the once powerful British print media . . . The 50 hours of raw material gathered by Orr and her fellow journalists Ruth Wishart and Paul Flynn have been shaped by the NTS’s Vicky Featherstone, John Tiffany and co-writer Andrew O’Hagan into a persuasive and provocative piece of theatre.’ The List, May 2012
THE WHEEL (2011) ‘This latest work by Edinburgh- based playwright Zinnie Harris looks at the impact violence and deprivation has on the youngest members of society. Catherine Walsh is extraordinary as the quick-witted and intelligent Beatriz, backed by a strong ensemble cast of 14, and astute direction by Vicky Featherstone. An engaging and thought-provoking work.’ The List, Aug 2011
WALL OF DEATH (2010) The sound of revving engines is enough to awaken the sleeping serpent coiled at the bottom of your spine, but it is the performance that follows that will pump your adrenal glands to sheer jaw dropping exhilaration. The Ken Fox Troupe ride the Indian Motorcycle – with its low centre of gravity – perpendicular to the floor inside a drum-shaped wooden cylinder: the infamous Wall of Death.’ The List, Feb 2010
365 (2008) The idea of a play about children in care might not immediately strike you as an entertaining Festival night out, but overcome your prejudices. Vicky Featherstone’s production . . . touches upon the issues that underlie its subject matter with nuanced tenderness, short-circuiting any accusations of worthiness before they can happen. The List, Aug 2008
24 May–21 Jun 2012 THE LIST 13