Monday 19th January 2026

Culture

‘Songs, skits, and a third thing beginning with S’: Jack McMinn in conversation

If there’s one thing I believe Oxford’s theatre scene is missing, it’s a button-down-shirt-wearing ex-zoology student with a penchant for writing songs about Pret A Manger.

The Oxford art calendar: Hilary 2026

Oxford’s frosty Hilary term is best spent looking at new exhibitions. This art calendar will guide you through some of the upcoming highlights.

‘Beautifully we may rot’: ‘Madame La Mort’ in review

In a small, black-painted room on the top floor of a pub in Islington, known as The Hope Theatre, Madame La Mort was staged for the public for the first time.

Damaging detachment: Reflections on the Booker Prize 

This Christmas vac, I made up my mind to get out of my reading slump using the Booker Prize shortlist, revealing toxic masculinity as a key theme.

Science fiction that shaped the Revolution

Daniel Antonio Villar looks at the impact of Red Star, by Alexander Bognadov

Philip Pullman’s La Belle Sauvage: His Darkest One Yet

Raffaella Sero reviews Philip Pullman's latest novel

Hollywood’s glamourising of Beauty and the Beast buries its troubling implications

21st century reimaginings of classic fairytales do not address the dark politics that underpin them. Susannah Goldsbrough explores.

Preview: ‘Lovesong’ – “one of the best pieces of student theatre this year”

John Livesey is blown away by a preview of the sold-out 'Lovesong'

Review: ‘Yellow’ – “sensitive and complex”

Zad El Bacha is highly impressed with 'Yellow', an adaptation of Charlotte Perkin Gilman's 'The Yellow Wallpaper', at the Pilch

Five Minutes With… Hugh Tappin

In our final interview of term, we chat to Hugh Tappin, of Nitrous Cow Productions

Lucy Rose enraptures and comforts her audience in Oxford

Ollie Braddy reflects on an atmospheric evening of intricate vocals set against the backdrop of a 19th century church

No soggy bottoms, as Channel Four puts the icing on the cake

The move may have halved its viewing figures, but hasn't diminished any of its charm

The insincerity of the female nude

Women should not be afraid to reclaim their naked bodies, writes Priya Vempali

Memorable sax solos and individual flair at the Varsity jazz-off

If this show was about demonstrating the very best they can do, then Oxford delivered

Mountains review – ‘uncomfortable and immersive’

Michael O'Connor is impressed by this unorthodox performance.

Rock’s best storyteller

"Darnielle's new novel confirms the status that Rolling Stone granted him; Rock's best storyteller", writes Barney Pite.

House of Fear and the reinvention of fairytale

Libby Cherry writes about the feminist undertones to Leonora Carrington's The Hearing Trumpet

“There is a selfish core to Mark that is the sort of thing that a sitcom character needs”

Comedian and Peep Show star David Mitchell talks to El Blackwood about the similarities between him and Mark Corrigan.

Ten years on, Burial’s ‘Untrue’ is still dripping with raw emotion

Joe Bavs reminisces on an experimental classic

As You Like It review – ‘Slightly flat, with a twist of theatrical magic’

Shared Experience’s reinterpretation of As You Like It is surprising and worth a watch, writes Harry Hatwell

Five minutes with: Audrey, the mysterious figurehead of The Oxford Revue

This week, we chat to Audrey, the Oxford Revue’s mysterious icon.

‘Twelfth Night’ review – ‘The Luscombe effect strikes again’

The RSC’s new version of Twelfth Night is an innovative reinterpretation, writes Katie Sayer

‘Volpone’ review – “Overdone accents but an otherwise fantastic production”

Amelia Coen enjoys Seeing Hand Production's witty Blackpool update of Johnson's satire

‘Volpone’ preview – “a very potent type of dramatic humour”

John Livesey is excited by 'Volpone', playing at the Keble O'Reilly in 7th week

Follow us