Scotland scoops five TMA Awards

Published Monday 22 October 2007 at 12:15 by Lalayn Baluch

Scottish theatre swept the board at the Theatrical Management Association Awards 2007, after winning five categories and being nominated for two more.

The event, sponsored by The Stage and held at Hampstead Theatre in London, saw the National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, Dundee Rep and Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow all pick up awards.

Meanwhile, Patrick Stewart won Best Performance in a Play for his role as Macbeth at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Henry Goodman received the award for Best Performance in a Musical for Sheffield Theatres’ Fiddler on the Roof, and Tim Supple was named Best Director for the touring production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

TMA’s Special Award was given to choreographer and director Matthew Bourne, the creator of shows such as Highland Fling, The Car Man and Swan Lake.

Dundee Rep’s Sunshine on Leith picked up Best Musical Production and Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Anne Louise Ross’ portrayal of Jean.

Meg Fraser collected Best Supporting Performance in a Play for All My Sons at the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh, and Best Show for Children and Young People went to Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow and Tag Theatre Company’s production of Yellow Moon (The Ballad of Leila and Lee).

The National Theatre of Scotland won Best Touring Production for The Wonderful World of Dissocia.

TMA president Derek Nicholls said: “It is an inspiration to TMA members and theatre audiences that three outstanding figures in UK theatre - Patrick Stewart, Matthew Bourne, and Henry Goodman - take pride of place in a list of awards, which is a reminder of the extraordinary achievements of theatres and artists from all over the country.

“The theatre awards flow from the inspiration which regional panellists derive, week in and week out, from their visits to theatres all over the United Kingdom. The full list of nominated productions, companies and artists ran into many hundreds, and there can be no clearer evidence of the enthusiasm of audiences for the work produced by TMA members that the nominations become more numerous every year. The awards reveal how rich and varied our theatre life is and how much it adds to the quality of life of millions of theatregoers.”

The Stage’s Award for Special Achievement in Regional Theatre went to the Bruntwood Group for their charitable work and financial support for the arts.

The full list of winners is:

Best Performance in a Play: Patrick Stewart - Macbeth, Chichester Festival Theatre.

Best Supporting Performance in a Play: Meg Fraser - All My Sons, Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh.

Best Performance in a Musical: Henry Goodman - Fiddler on the Roof, Sheffield Theatres’.

Best Supporting Performance in a Musical: Anne Louise Ross - Sunshine on Leith, Dundee Rep.

Best Director: Tim Supple - A Midsummer Night’s Dream, on tour.

Best Musical Production: Sunshine on Leith, Dundee Rep.

Best Touring Production, supported by Walton and Parkinson: The Wonderful World of Dissocia, National Theatre of Scotland.

Best New Play: That Face by Polly Stenham, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court.

Best Design: Chloe Lamford - Small Miracle, Mercury, Colchester.

The Equity Award for Best Show for Children and Young People: Yellow Moon (The Ballad of Leila and Lee) by Citizens’ Theatre and Tag Theatre Group, Citizens’ Theatre and on tour.

Achievement in Opera: Peter Grimes, Opera North.

Achievement in Dance: Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Stravinsky! A Celebration 2007.

The Stage Award for Special Achievement in Regional Theatre: The Bruntwood Group

TMA Special Award: Matthew Bourne.