The largest student-run arts festival in Scotland starts in St Andrews today.
The 10-day annual On the Rocks festival, which has a host of A-list backers from stage and screen, will showcase the very best of student art, photography, film and theatre, dance, fashion, music and comedy events in 19 venues across the town.
This year’s festival has a community feel, with nearly 50 events taking place in restaurants and public spaces, as well as more traditional university venues.
The festival, which was launched by a group of students at St Andrews University in 2009, has the support of high-profile patrons including honorary graduates of the university, Sir Sean Connery and Dame Judi Dench.
Patron Andy Serkis, best known for playing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, said: “On The Rocks is a truly inspirational festival, to which I send my support and very best wishes.
“As a student I was encouraged to engage in all aspects of theatre, music and film, and it is vital that events such as this festival continue to grow and be nurtured in order to support the artistic minds of the future.”
Highlights include an evolving mural, an Indian film festival, poetry workshop, community upcycling workshop and a performance of George Orwell’s Animal Farm taking place in the Steak Barn at Balgove Larder.
Events will also be held in university venues including the Byre Theatre, St Andrews community library, Barron Theatre, Students’ Association, Younger Hall, Old Union Cafe and Buchanan lecture theatre.
For the first time, this year will see a community mural evolve throughout the week, with anyone wishing to add their art able to do so in three venues across town.
It will begin on Saturday in Church Square, move to the main university library on North Street on Wednesday, then St Salvator’s Quadrangle on Friday before ending at the St Andrews Bandstand on The Scores next Saturday.
Festival director Caroline Christie said: “On The Rocks gives student societies the opportunity to showcase their talents on a larger scale, helping to create a greater sense of community within the St Andrews student body.
“This year’s event has an additional air of sustainability, with upcycling workshops and vintage fairs taking place, as well as a fundraising evening or art, poetry and music in aid of refugee relief.”
The event will open with a 1920s Shanghai-themed ball hosted by the Hongpao Society and close with its traditional ceilidh at St Andrews Castle.