Black Watch play tops awards list

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Hard-hitting drama Black Watch has been nominated in six categories of the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland, including Best Production.

The play from the National Theatre of Scotland is based on interviews conducted by writer Gregory Burke with former soldiers who had served in Iraq.

Also making the CATS shortlist for Best Production is Spend a Penny, which was "staged" in a nightclub lavatory.

The awards ceremony will be held at Pitlochry Festival Theatre on 10 June.

Black Watch, which won critical acclaim at last year's Edinburgh Festival, examines the morality of the war in Iraq and traces the history of the famous Scottish regiment.

Black Watch was without question an exceptional production Robert Dawson ScottCATS convener

It was one of 60 new home-grown productions which appeared in Scotland's theatres last year.

CATS convener Robert Dawson Scott said the awards shortlist underlined the quality of work being produced and staged in Scotland, with the National Theatre of Scotland, the major producing theatres and touring companies all represented across the 10 award categories.

He added: "Black Watch was without question an exceptional production, but as the 2007 CATS shortlists demonstrate there were plenty of other productions that achieved the highest standards.

"Scotland's major theatrical organisations are producing consistently good work, but as can be seen from this year's nominations smaller companies continue to challenge them."

Audience of one

While Black Watch played to packed houses at last year's Edinburgh Festival, Spend a Penny was performed to audiences of only one at a time in the toilets of Glasgow's Arches nightclub.

They were joined on the shortlist for Best Production by Tom Fool and Aalst.

Black Watch also received nominations for best director, best new play, best ensemble, best use of music and best technical.

The awards were open to any professional theatre work produced in Scotland between 1 May, 2006 and 21 April, 2007. About 180 productions were considered, including 25 aimed at children.

For the first time, members of the public will be able to attend this year's award ceremony.