Sunday 28th June 2026

Culture

How an Oxford undergraduate made a name in choral music

When he arrived at Oxford, he expected his future to lie primarily in orchestral music. Instead, it was choral music that transformed his direction.

‘Scenes With Girls’ and complicated female friendships

'Scenes with Girls' deserves to be seen as one of Labyrinth Productions’ (Rosie Morgan-Males and Emily Cullinan) most impressive accolades.

‘The Moro Affair’: Astonishingly original, but not quite a story

The acting in 'The Moro Affair' was superb across the board, with Harriet Wilson’s Pope as a standout, and Rosie Sutton’s direction was flawless.

‘Music can be everything’: Aurora Orchestra’s Jane Mitchell on the narratives around classical music

The Aurora Orchestra, who are playing at Oxford’s Schwarzman Centre on the 19th June, are best known for performing their orchestral repertoire from memory.

‘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

Cyrano de Bergerac preview – “heartwarming and heartbreaking”

James Woodbridge previews exciting new musical Cyrano de Bergerac

Alain de Botton: “The university system is failing people”

Author Alain de Botton, founder of the School of Life, talks philosophy, mental health and the education system

Meet Woolf’s doll house inspiration

A miniaturised book which inspired Woolf's Orlando is to be published

Crete’s mountain musician of mystery

Jonathan Egid sheds light on one of Crete's most intriguing characters

Three Parallel Places review – “a bit all over the place”

Chloe Taylor leaves 'Three Parallel Places' with mixed feelings

Protests widen the rift between public and police

William Hosie challenges conventional notions about protests' effectiveness

A little creativity can change a lot about the way we protest

Anoushka Kavanagh reports on the art-activist collective creating playful new forms of direct action

A film that celebrates an artistic history too long hidden, too long misunderstood

Gazelle Mba discusses a groundbreaking feminist film and the politicisation of artistic identity

‘Oslo’ Review – “a gripping political thriller straight off broadway”

Harry Hatwell reviews the Tony-winning Lincoln Center production of 'Oslo' at its UK press night on London’s South Bank

Confessions of a Drama Queen 3: the shame continues

In the third instalment of 'Confessions of a Drama Queen', our eponymous diarist considers a change of career

Five Minutes With: Charlotte Vickers, University Drama Officer

We chat to Charlotte Vickers, the University Drama Officer, about how she got to where she is today, and why she wouldn’t want to stage her favourite play at Oxford

Follow us