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.

Culture Rebecca Harper -

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.

Art Maxim Vorobev -

‘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.

Culture Beatrix Arnold -

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.

Books Charlie Bailey -

Latest

More Slush than Snow – The Snowman fails to impress

Jonnie Barrow is severely disappointed by the new Scandi thriller

Andrew Graham-Dixon: Bridging the gap between high culture and mass media

Art history documentary maker Andrew Graham-Dixon talks contemporary art and BBC spending to Altair Brandon-Salmon

‘Random’ preview – “Convincing and jarring”

Izzy Smith is impressed by what she sees of this masterfully emotive performance

Five minutes with Markus Beeken, Light Entertainment Society’s Community Officer

We chat to Markus Beeken, a member of the Oxford University Light Entertainment Society (commonly referred to as “owls”), about his involvement with drama at Oxford.

Imagining the Divine review – engrossing and important

Lizzy Diggins is intrigued by the religious crossovers at the Ashmolean's new exhibition

A perfectly preserved corner of London speaks to modern Britain

Susie Finlay discovers the delights of still-life drama

Strong musical talent and an excellent script

Jacob Greenhouse declares 'Cyrano de Bergarec' a triumph.

TV memes for deadline-drowning teens

Becky Cook comments on the importance of film and TV shows in meme culture

‘Bacchae’ review – A focus on gender that isn’t reflected in the casting

Louis Morris finds this year’s Oxford Greek Play, Euripides’ Bacchae, aims high but fails to impress.

Exploring the poetry of the everyday world

Quiet, mysterious Haruki Murakami fuses local culture with global emotions, writes Lucy Enderby

Confessions of a Drama Queen: My University Career Begins

In our new satirical column, 'Confessions of a Drama Queen', Katie Sayer re-imagines the Oxford drama scene from the perspective of a very melodramatic fresher