St Mary's University, Twickenham
We're delighted to announce the details of the School of Creative and Liberal Arts 2nds Festival of Creativity showcasing, once again the range and depth of talent from across the School's community of students and staff. With performances, debates, screenings, lecture presentations, talks, music, poetry and bonhomie we really hope you'll find something of interest across the range of activities planned. Please do come and enjoy the work.
The 2025 SCALA Festival steering group.
The School of Liberal & Creative Arts festival launches with an open mic night displaying some of the best student talent from across the School.
Book now
Academics and students from the School of Creative and Liberal Arts present their work.
Academics and students from the School of Theology present their work.
Level 6 Acting students present a new adaptation of Kafka’s short stories.
Level 5 Acting students present a short devised piece focusing on the issue of male infertility.
Drawing on a range of fictional and factual sources Level 6 Acting students reimagine the final hours of Pompeii in this lively newly devised show.
Academics and students from the School of Education present their work.
Inspired by the novels of Margaret Atwood Level 6 Acting students explore the key themes of her work in this exciting newly devised work.
Students from the School of Liberal & Creative Arts present an evening of new work.
The Alumni band present their original set in St Mary’s newest live entertainment venue.
Children’s and young adult writing has been the hottest ticket in publishing for the last two decades. Join Carnegie Medal-winning novelist Anthony McGowan (Lark, Dogs of the Deadlands, Beck) and celebrated children’s poet and editor Rachel Piercey (If You Go Down to the Woods Today, Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball, Wisdom of the Woods) for an insightful and entertaining conversation about their work and the state of the art of writing for children.
Explore love in all its cinematic beauty, complexity, and wonder in this thoughtfully curated pairing films.
Short Film: The Invention of Love (silent film, dir. Naiara Moraes) A beautifully crafted silent film exploring an unusual yet deeply touching romance between an older woman and a younger mute man. Directed by first-year BA Acting student Naiara Moraes, this film eloquently conveys the profound depth and universality of love without words.
Feature Film: Blind Dating (2006, starring Chris Pine, produced by Joy Mellins – Course Lead Acting at St Mary's University) A charming romantic comedy about Danny, a blind young man navigating love and relationships. Danny's journey through the highs and lows of dating brings humor, heart, and insight into how true connections transcend visual boundaries.
Community
Delve into real-world stories told through compelling documentary filmmaking, each capturing intimate histories and vibrant communities through the eyes of passionate storytellers.
Short Documentary: Cranford Park Community Excavations (2024, dir. Natasha Bilson – St Mary's Alumni)
This graduation film by St Mary's University alumni Natasha Bilson takes viewers into the heart of local history and community spirit at Cranford Park. Through archaeological excavation and personal testimonies, the film captures the powerful connections between past and present, community and identity.
Feature Documentary: Theatre of Survival (2023, dir. Mark Street – Subject Lead for Creative Arts at St Mary's University)
Mark Street's powerful documentary explores the transformative power of theatre amid crisis. Set against a backdrop of political turmoil and cultural resistance, this inspiring story chronicles South Africa's Market Theatre’s brave struggle during apartheid, highlighting the power of art as resistance and survival.
Students from across the School of Liberal and Creative Arts debate the big questions of the day.
Worlds Collide
A cinematic journey bringing Shakespeare's timeless narratives into a contemporary global context, uniting diverse cultures and traditions on screen.
Short Film: Don't Be Late (dir. Luca Milillo – Film Technician and Lecturer at St Mary's University) A compelling short drama exploring the tension of pivotal moments through richly nuanced characters and situations. Directed by Luca Milillo, the film intertwines urgency and subtlety, capturing human emotions in their rawest form.
Feature Film: Rahm (produced by David Shanks – Guest Lecturer at St Mary's University) A gripping adaptation of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, reimagined in contemporary Lahore, Pakistan. Produced by guest lecturer David Shanks, Rahm masterfully blends Shakespeare’s powerful narrative with vibrant cultural contexts, delivering a timeless exploration of justice, mercy, and morality.
Browser does not support script.