CATS add panto to awards
Scottish theatre awards set June date at Trav
The annual ceremony for the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) is to return to Edinburgh’s Traverse on June 8, with a new award celebrating Scotland’s pantomime productions.
Tickets to the ceremony go on sale to the public tomorrow, Thursday 1 May. It will be hosted by actor and panto legend Johnny McKnight, who has been described as the ‘vanguard of post-modernist panto’ for his productions at Glasgow’s Tron and the Macrobert in Stirling.
Johnny McKnight on the stage of the Pavilion Theatre. “Dorothy Blawna-Gale” costume by Kenny Miller, originally designed for Tron Theatre’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Pic: Hope Holmes & RCS
Besides writing and staring as dame in pantomime, McKnight’s She’s Behind You is a “deliciously honest, wicked and moving journey through the history of the Scottish panto dame”. First delivered as part of the Cameron Lecture Series in 2024, it returned to Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre this January.
The new Outstanding Pantomime Award will be sponsored by ice-cream makers Mackie’s of Scotland. This is the first time pantomime has been specifically recognised in the CATS’ 22 years. It brings the number of award categories back to ten, following the recent merger of best male and female acting awards.
reputation
Michael Cox, co-convenor of the CATS said: “Scotland has long been considered the natural home of pantomime, from the early-20th-century music hall productions to the heyday of Stanley Baxter, Rikki Fulton, Jimmy Logan, Una McLean and Johnny Beattie.
“In recent times, writers and performers such as Forbes Masson and Johnny McKnight have further added to Scotland’s panto reputation by rethinking the art-form for the 21st-century.
“Our new award recognises the breadth of talent that goes into making the perfect panto.”
Johnny McKnight performing She’s Behind You. “Dorothy Blawna-Gale” costume by Kenny Miller, originally designed for Tron Theatre’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Pic: Hope Holmes & RCS.
The awards return to the Traverse theatre for the third time, having been held there in 2023 and 2013.
Joyce McMillan, CATS co-convenor added: “We are delighted to be returning to the Traverse for our 2025 award ceremony.
“We join together with the theatre community to reflect on a year which despite many uncertainties, has seen so much brilliant and varied work on Scotland’s stages – now ripe for recognition at what we hope will be a wonderful summer celebration, in the heart of Edinburgh.”
cherished tradition
Stuart Common, managing director of Mackie’s, said the company is proud to be sponsoring the CATS first Outstanding Pantomime award.
He said: “Pantomime and interval ice cream go hand in hand, making up a cherished part of the Christmas tradition for families across Scotland. We’re delighted to celebrate the talent and hard work that goes into creating these magical productions and memories.”
Public tickets for the CATS awards, priced £21 including a glass of fizz, canapés and a tub of Mackie’s ice cream, go on sale from Thursday 1 May on the Traverse website.
Public supporters of the CATS can also sign up to become “Friends of the CATS”. For £100, Friends will receive two tickets to the award ceremony, a credit in the event programme and ceremony audiovisual presentation, and further benefits to be announced as this new scheme develops.
Listing
Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland ceremony 2025
Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404
Sunday 8 June 2025
Afternoon: 3pm – 6pm.
Tickets and details: Book here from 10am, Thursday 1 May 2025.
ENDS
