The countdown has begun for the Wales Theatre Awards annual celebration of the best in theatre, opera and dance across the nation which will be held at Swansea University’s Taliesin Arts Centre on February 25.

The event will include the presentation of much coveted trophies in 20 categories and also an evening of entertainment from some of Wales’ finest new and established performers.

The arts event shows appreciation and provides recognition for the variety of work done by all practitioners of the theatrical community in Wales, whatever the size, language or discipline of the companies involved.

The awards evening is also recognition of the contribution of arts writers and critics. Performers, writers, directors, singers and actors are nominated by critics who have reviewed performances that have been created and presented in Wales.

Awards director Mike Smith said: “Over Christmas and New Year critics across Wales have been making up their minds about what shows, writers, individual artists and companies to nominate for the 2017 awards. Once all the nominations have been made, small groups of judges will then have the incredibly difficult task of selecting shortlists and ultimately the winners for each category from these nominations.”

Last year’s winners included actresses Sophie Melville and Carys Eleri, choreographers and dancers Gwyn Emberton and Eddie Ladd, directors Kate Wasserberg and Rachel O'Riordan, opera director David Pountney and actors Christian Patterson and Rhodri Evan. It was a particularly strong year for Cardiff’s pub theatre The Other Room.

For more information visit: www.walestheatreawards.com