Wonderland in St Andrews

St Andrews will become Wonderland this weekend (16 April 2011) as students take over the town for their annual ambitious arts festival.

Now in its third year, On The Rocks (16-24 April 2011) showcases the very best in new Scottish and student talent. With the support of partons such as Sir Sean Connery and Dame Judi Dench, the week long event showcases the very best of student drama, music, dance, comedy, art and film in venues across St Andrews.

From Fife singer-songwriter King Creosote performing in the mediaeval surroundings of the King James library to a children’s production of Alice in Wonderland in the 1000 year-old St Andrews Castle, the festival offers art that is new, experimental, diverse and innovative.

Launched in 2009, the festival attracts performers, exhibitors and participants from across the UK and beyond.

Amongst the highlights of this year’s On The Rocks is the Half Cut Film Festival, the nation’s largest student film festival.

With entries from colleges and universities across Scotland, Half Cut presents student film at its best: showcasing emerging talent and celebrating the diverse and experimental. This entirely student-run event will welcome a panel of industry professionals to judge the festival. Among them will be Hollywood animators Jaime Landes and Lindsay VanderGalien, who are travelling to St Andrews from Pixar Animation Studios California. Jaime and Lindsay have worked on many Pixar hits including, Ratatouille, Up and the Oscar-winning Toy Story 3. Also joining the judging panel will be BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Robert Sproul-Cran. The aim of Half Cut is to legitimise student film, and give professionals the chance to see up-and-coming talent. Three past winners of Half Cut have gone on to win BAFTA New Talent awards this year.

Amongst other theatre highlights, a dynamic and exciting reimagining of the classic Peter Pan will be brought to life by students through generous support from the University of St Andrews 600th Anniversary Fund. Written by J. M. Barrie, a former Rector of the University, Peter Pan promises to be a special event.

The Festival’s Press and Publicity Director Charlotte Walsh said “With over 70 shows across 10 venues, On The Rocks will present student and professional art at its best. Following past successes such as the first ever licensed amateur production of Jerry Springer the Opera, as well as the student written play ‘Rabbits, Ladders and Stars in Jars’ which went on to perform sell out shows in Edinburgh and Brighton, the events of On The Rocks 2011 promise to be no exception.”

The festival has the support of James Bond star Sir Sean Connery and fellow St Andrews’ honorary graduates Dame Judi Dench, Dame Helen Mirren and Joanna Lumley, former students Crispin Bonham Carter and Siobhan Redmond, and British actor Simon Pegg. A particular fan is the Rector of the University Kevin Dunion who said “On The Rocks is the artistic highlight of the year in St Andrews – my diary is already crammed with events I am looking forward to see in what I know will be a great week.”

On The Rocks 2011 takes place 16-24 April in venues in and around St Andrews.

For listings and ticket information visit: www.ontherocksfestival.com

ENDS

Note to Editors

For further information contact: Charlotte Walsh on 01334 462700 or ontherocks@st–andrews.ac.uk