The Lyric and Perth Theatre’s joint production of The Seafarer has been shortlisted in three categories at the annual Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS).
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Ciaran McIntyre in a scene from The Seafarer which ran at the Lyric Theatre earlier this year. (Photo by Steffan Hill).[/caption]
The production of Conor McPherson’s darkly funny Faustian tale, which had its Scottish and Northern Irish premieres in February and March is shortlisted for BEST ENSEMBLE, BEST PRODUCTION and director Rachel O’Riordan is nominated for BEST DIRECTOR.
Now in its eleventh year, the CATS celebrate the actors, directors, playwrights and other artists who have made the most thrilling contributions to the industry. Any piece of professional theatre substantially produced in Scotland in the twelve months from May to April (the natural break in the theatre year) is eligible. Around 180 new productions that opened in the year were considered for the Awards with 27 different productions making the shortlists.
Cork-born Rachel O’Riordan has lived most of her life in Belfast and has a Phd from the University of Ulster. Rachel is Artistic Director of Horsecross Arts in Perth. She is married to the actor Richard Dormer who recently impressed critics in the hit film, Good Vibrations.
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Rachel O’Riordan who directed The Seafarer in March this year at the Lyric Theatre. (Photo by Michael Burch)[/caption]
Richard Croxford, Lyric Theatre Artistic Director said: “This is wonderful news and well-deserved recognition of a fantastic production which impressed audiences in Belfast and Perth earlier this year. We have enjoyed our first partnership with Horsecross Arts enormously. To get three nominations for the co-production is a staggering achievement and a terrific celebration of all the hard work put in by our highly talented teams.”
Jacqueline McKay, chief executive of Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation behind Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall said: “To receive three CATS nominations is a fantastic reward for us all – it is a critical recognition of the quality of the work Rachel and her team have brought to the Perth stage of which we are all very proud.
“It also acknowledges a rewarding and important partnership we have been developing with the Lyric Theatre, Belfast. We are delighted that The Seafarer has been recognised in this way – in response to all the positive feedback, we are exploring its touring potential across the UK. Thanks critics!”
The CATS winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony on Sunday 9 June at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre.
www.criticsawards.
