Stars applaud £3,000 boost for awards

STARS will shine brighter at a prestigious theatre awards ceremony, after it received a £3,000 funding boost.

The Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland have won sponsorship from the Mackintosh Foundation, a charity set up by producer Cameron Mackintosh.

The event, at the Festival Theatre in June, has also been given 500 a year from technical services company Northern Light.

Some of the most talented actors directors and playwrights will gather on Sunday, 13 June, for the eighth annual ceremony.

Previous winners, such as David Tennant – who won Best Actor in 2005 – have gone on achieve national fame and recognition.

Scotsman theatre critic Joyce McMillan, co-convenor of the CATS Awards, said: "We are delighted to have the support of the Mackintosh Foundation, which will put the future of the CATS awards on a much more secure footing.

"The aims of the Foundation in promoting theatre coincide with those of the awards."

The event is open to the public, with tickets now on sale.