Dundee Rep’s prominence in Scottish theatre has been cemented by receiving five nominations in this year’s critics’ awards.
All the recommendations are for the acclaimed Further than the Furthest Thing, with the Rep a nominee for best production, Ann Louise Ross for best female performance and James Brining for best director.
In two other sections, Neil Warmington (set), Philip Gladwell (lighting) and Elizabeth Ogilvie (water) are nominated for the best design, and the company is nominated for the best technical presentation.
The production takes place on an Atlantic island where years of isolation have created a community of cautious people. They are transported to England when a volcano erupts, causing them to change their primitive existence.
A significant feature of the production was the set, with the stage turned into a vast pool flooded with 29,000 litres of water and lit to impressive effect. The play was James Brining’s last at the Rep before taking on the role of artistic director at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Dundee Rep shares top billing in the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) with the Citizens’ Theatre Company, with each receiving five nominations.
The Tay Square theatre company also becomes the second most nominated since the awards began 10 years ago. It now has 56, only four behind the National Theatre of Scotland.
Joyce McMillan, CATS co-convener, said: ”This year’s CATS nominations celebrate a dazzling range of work, created by more than 20 companies across Scottish theatre.
”The list emphasises the growing creative impact of the National Theatre of Scotland, both through its own distinctive work and in co-productions with other companies; it also celebrates the continuing high achievement of Dundee Rep, and a fine start to Dominic Hill’s directorship at the Citizens Theatre.
”And through nominations for events like the National Theatre of Scotland’s Five Minute Theatre, Untitled’s Salon Project and Magnetic North’s Pass the Spoon, it also reflects the exciting ways in which theatre is changing, with artists exploring the myriad possibilities of online technology, and boldly venturing into the borderlands between theatre and installation, theatre and music, theatre and visual art.”
Of the 202 productions considered for nomination, 123 were eligible for best new play and 36 were created for children and young people.
The winners will be announced on Sunday June 10 at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow.
Photo by Douglas McBride