Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Stage Management team has won the Stage Management Association’s Team of the Year Award for 2004.

The award, sponsored by The Stage newspaper, was announced yesterday during the ABTT Theatre show in London. Designed to celebrate “extraordinary achievement in the field of stage management”, the Team of the Year Award recognises the work of the best Stage Management team in the UK. Stage Management teams from all over the UK are eligible for this award, from the Royal Shakespeare Company down to the smallest touring companies.

Nikki Axford, Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Chief Executive, commented: “People in Scotland often don’t realise what a national treasure we have in Pitlochry Festival Theatre, but this award demonstrates that the standard of our productions compares to the best in the UK.”

Artistic Director John Durnin added: “We have often said that our Stage Management team is the best there is. Now the UK theatre industry at large has acknowledged that the work of our stage managers – and, by extension, of all the other PFT departments who work hand-in-hand with them - is second to none. Undoubtedly, the team deserved this award and they should be congratulated on such a wonderful achievement.”

PFT Company Manager Gavin Johnston comments: “We were one of three theatre companies in the UK that were shortlisted, and we’re delighted to receive this award.” He added: “This is a superb place to work. I am very proud of the Stage Management team, all of whom are back this year working on our six productions for 2005. It is this kind of passion and excellence that makes Pitlochry such a special place.”