#otr2015

Ceilidh in the Castle

On the last day of On the Rocks, the Celtic Society is ready to provide you with a shot of Scottish culture. Come down to the St Andrews Castle at 5.30 on April 12th to dance the evening away before heading off on a torch-lit pier walk. We caught up with the Societ to ask them a few questions about this year’s ceilidh.

Can you describe this year’s event in three words? Dancing, Ceilidh, Castle

What makes the Ceilidh in the Castle an unmissable part of On the Rocks? It is the only chance to take part in an outdoor ceilidh in the historic ruins of St Andrews Castle at sunset.

What’s something people might not know about this year’s ceilidh? It is held by the oldest society in St Andrews: Celtic Society. This event will kick-start our 220th year!

Tickets are available from the Byre website: http://byretheatre.com/events/otr-ceilidh-in-the-castle/

What is it like to volunteer for On The Rocks? 

Last year I applied to be a OTR volunteer. After receiving my box office training and feel the enthusiasm of the committee I was just as excited for the festival as the rest of the volunteers. 

I picked up my free t-shirt with my friends. Which, during On The Rocks, becomes a major fashion trend, and is not to be missed.

One thing I did to help out with the festival was to work at the box office. With two other girls we sat at Rectors (which was duly decorated for On The Rocks) and sold tickets to plays, musicals, Big Top Ball and more. It was a good experience because we were selling so many tickets and could see first hand how popular On The Rocks actually is. 

On a Saturday morning I met up at the union and grabbed a ton of merchandise and sorted it into OTR bags. Then, with my partner, we headed to the farmers market to distribute it to both locals and students. I remember it as one of the best mornings I have had in St Andrews. It was fun to share the enthusiasm for art in St Andrews with the people we met. After we had handed out all of our bags, we went around to the different stalls and browsed local produce. 

I still have my first On The Rocks t-shirt and I still like to wear it and think about the fun I had volunteering last year, and how great OTR2015 is going to turn out this year! 

We are HookHitch. We tell stories.

It is what all theatre aims to do—immerse its audience in a new world for a few hours. And it’s something that HookHitch Theatre does particularly well.

After a sell-out run at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, HookHitch is bringing its five-star production, This Was the World and I Was King, to St Andrews from October 27th-29th. The play follows the Connor children during the First World War as their father fights on the Western Front; to escape from the harrowing reality by which they are surrounded, the children delve into their own imaginary kingdom. With its seamless inclusion of folk music and hand-crafted puppets, This Was the World and I Was King provides a glimpse back into the unbridled imagination of childhood.

In addition to their three-night engagement at the Barron, Hookhitch is also offering a free workshop from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29th, in the Byre Theatre. Tickets for each night of the show are available on the Union website—be sure to order tickets for the correct night! Don’t miss the chance to escape everyday life in the Bubble and enter the imaginary world of the Connor children. 

Thank you to everyone who has bought their Zombie Apocalypse tickets for 30th October! Dr Pretorius cannot wait to welcome you all to his estate on 30ht October.

The event is now officially SOLD OUT! Apologies to those who did not manage to get a ticket this year.

On The Rocks is also hosting another fantastic event that same week! The acclaimed theatre group HookHitch is presenting their production of "This was the World and I was King". Check it out here:

L A S T chance to apply for the Sponsorship Officer for On The Rocks. 

The Corporate and Local Sponsorship Officer is responsible for contacting Corporate and Local Organizations who may be interested in sponsoring On The Rocks. You are a member of Operations Team, meaning you work on Corporate and Local sponsorship opportunities with the Head of Operations. Draft letters to Corporations and Local businesses! And gain valuable insight as  a box office manager during the festival.

This is a great role for anyone who already has, or wishes to strengthen their writing and communication skills. A sponsorship position for Scotland's largest student-run arts festival is a great learning opportunity for those interested in working with sponsorship later in their careers! Also, the OTR committee is a great group of people, who would love for YOU to join on this year's festival committee!

Anyone welcome to apply:)