The Saint
On the Rocks festival
Sam Kennerley
THE On the Rocks Festival made its first return to St Andrews towards the end of last month.
From April 18 to April 25, St Andrews was inundated with a celebration of Scottish and student artistic talent. Seeking to celebrate new, experimental, diverse and innovative art, On the Rocks hosted events spanning dance to comedy, in a multitude of different locations ranging from the Byre Theatre to the King James Library.
Started in 2009, On the Rocks is already showing signs of expansion. This years festival featured contributions from other Scottish universities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, and was reported in the national press.
Highlights included Rogue Productions annual Half Cut film festival. With judges including Pixar animators Jaime Landes and Lindsay VanderGailien, the BAFTA award winning filmmaker Robert Sproul-Cran and our own Kevin Dunion, Half Cut assembled cinematic talent from across Scotland. A special mention goes to the Peoples Choice winners Azhani Amiruddin, Ashmita Gupta and Julz Newton.
In the world of theatre, Muckle Row Productions returned from last years successful Krapps Last Tape to perform Samuel Becketts Waiting for Godot. Woyzeck and Sophocles Antigone also performed to sell-out crowds at the Barron theatre. On top of this The Byre saw the magical performance of Rabbits, Ladders and Stars in Jars.
The Lost Todorovs performed in Divinitys King James Library, which was the first time the library had been used as a venue.
The festival also featured a variety of week-long exhibitions including On the Frocks, a celebration of Scottish fashion design, and Maria Levitanus well-received photographic celebration of everyday life.
Wednesdays debate on art and beauty was hosted by the renowned Philosopher Roger Scruton, who also delivered a performance of his chamber opera, The Minister.
The week finished in a hectic Ceildh at St Salvatores Quad and an after party in the Students Union.
Despite the cancelation of Artsoc and Photosoc exhibitions and the threat of rain, Phil Pass is pleased that On the Rocks 2010 went successfully. Whilst thanking those involved backstage, Pass spoke of a massive buzz for involvement in the student body, and particularly praised the comedy nights and the Youth Theatre Project.
Pass added that he believed St Andrews was leading the way in the exploration of the Scottish student arts scene.
He said the University of St Andrews looked on target for On the Rocks 2011, and spoke of changes that would be made for the future.
The promising expansion of the festival will be provisionally met with an expansion of the Committee, which currently comprises of four to five members.
Pass sees the Committee doubling to up to ten members within the next year. With the wealth of student talent shown by this years On the Rocks and with expanding possibilities, On The Rocks 2011 is an excellent opportunity for any student interested in developing in the arts and culture scene.
