IRISH theatre has received a handful of votes of confidence with the announcement of the nominations for the 1996 TMA British Regional Theatre Awards, designed to acknowledge excellence in British theatre outside London's West End. To qualify for consideration, all shows must be produced by or staged in a venue which is a member of the Theatrical Management Association. Thus, Stanley Townsend receives a nomination for best actor for his towering portrayal of Danton in Trevor Griffiths's Who Shall Be Happy?, which was commissioned and produced by Belfast's Mad Cow company at the Old Museum Arts Centre before transferring to the West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Bush Theatre in west London. Marie Mullen is nominated for best actress for her role in Martin McDonagh's highly acclaimed The Beauty Queen of Leenane, co produced by Druid and London's Royal Court Theatre Upstairs. Cathy White appears in the best supporting actress category for her portrayal of Rose in Conall Morrison's moving production of Dancing at Lughnasa at the Lyric in Belfast. And the Lyric's charming version of The BFG, directed by Robin Midgley and Denni Sayers, is in the reckoning for best children's show.