TWO Scottish theatres have figured prominently in major UK awards while Scots actress Siobhan Redmond was named best actress for two stage performances.
The Theatrical Management Association's British Regional Theatre Awards were presented in Leeds yesterday.
Miss Redmond was named best actress for her roles in The Trick Is To Keep Breathing at Glasgow's Tron Theatre, and An Experienced Woman Gives Advice, by Glasgow playwright Iain Heggie, at Manchester's Royal Exchange.
Winning the Martini award for overall production was Dundee Rep's On The Line, Alan Spence's play about the Timex workers' strike. It was directed by John Carnegie.
Two awards were presented to former Traverse Theatre assistant directors. The stage award for special achievement in regional theatre went to Jeremy Raison, now running the Chester Gateway, while Steve Unwin's Hedda Gabler won best touring production for English Touring Company.
Miss Redmond, star of television programme Between The Lines, said she was thrilled to receive the award.
``I'm particularly proud to be awarded for two new plays, both of which have their origins north of the Border,'' she added.
``To play one such phenomenal role is more than an actress can expect - to play two back to back in one year and then to win a prize is beginning to look like cheek on my part.
``There will never be another part like The Trick for me. It was a fantastic part of my life. It was worth all the blood, sweat, and tears for the privilege of playing it.
``It still runs through my head every day and I can't quite believe that the Millennium will not find me doing it at Mull Little Theatre! Along with the Heggie play, they are parts that really do not happen very often for women.''
In Michael Boyd's adaptation of Janice Galloway's novel, The Trick Is To Keep Breathing, Miss Redmond gave a harrowing portrayal of Joy, a woman suffering a nervous breakdown.
By contrast, in An Experienced Woman Gives Advice, she played a single woman engaged in a volatile relationship with a younger man - played by Scottish actor David Tennant, who was nominated for best actor in the awards.
Dundee Rep's artistic director, Hamish Glen, said its award was a great tribute to his theatre's attempt at a new form of performance.
Other awards included the American Express award for best musical, which went to By Jeeves by Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber; best director, Mike Alfreds; best actor, Stanley Townsend; best designer, Tony Tripp for High Society; best new play, Divine Right by Peter Whelan at Birmingham Rep.
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