THE National Theatre of Scotland looks set to dominate this year's Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS).

In the short lists for the annual awards, the NTS is up for 12 prizes in nine of the 10 award categories.

Dundee Rep and the Citizens Theatre Company have five nominations each, while companies receiving nominations for the first time include Bard in the Botanics, Frozen Charlotte, Shona Reppe Puppets, Theatre Jezebel and Untitled Projects. The ceremony is at the Tron theatre in Glasgow on June 10.

Joyce McMillan, co-convener of the CATS, said: "This year's CATS nominations celebrate a dazzling range of work. The list emphasises the creative impact of the National Theatre of Scotland, both through its own distinctive work and in co-productions with other companies."

To mark the CATS 10th anniversary, a new discretionary award known as The CATS Whiskers will be given in recognition of an outstanding contribution to theatre in Scotland.