Dundee Rep is leading the race for Scotland's most prestigious theatre awards, it was announced yesterday.

The company gained 13 nominations across the 10 categories for the 2008 Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland.

Four of the Rep's productions - Peer Gynt, Sunshine on Leith, Happy Days and Jack and the Beanstalk - were selected by the judging panel, which included The Herald's theatre critic Neil Cooper.

Glasgow's Citizens' Theatre was nominated in five categories, as was Edinburgh's Wee Stories, who produce innovative productions for children and young people.

The National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) garnered 15 nominations for six productions, including collaborations with The Royal Lyceum Theatre, NVA, Edinburgh International Festival and Tam Dean Burn's recently created Burnt Goods.

James Brining, artistic director and chief executive of Dundee Rep, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that our work in the last year has been recognised in this way."

The short list for Best New Play features Educating Agnes, Liz Lochhead's most recent adaptation of Moliere.

It will compete with Alan Wilkins's Carthage Must be Destroyed, and David Greig's Being Norwegian, which was presented in the innovative A Play, A Pie and A Pint programme at Oran Mor.

The final nomination goes to DC Jackson's The Wall, produced by the Ayrshire-based Borderline theatre company, which has been the subject of much public debate following the Scottish Arts Council's decision to withdraw its "flexible funding" in 2006.

The 2008 ceremony will be staged in Glasgow's Oran Mor on June 15, as part of the annual West End Festival.

Joyce McMillan, co-convenor of the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland, said: "I am delighted that of just over 30 funded producing companies in Scotland, 17 feature on this year's shortlists.

"I think that shows the strength-in-depth of Scottish theatre, and the fact that although there are some obvious front-runners among the nominees, even the smallest companies can produce work that competes with the best.

"We believe Scottish-based theatre companies make a great contribution to the life of this country every year, and we are pleased to play a part in making sure that their achievement is recognised and enjoyed by everyone."