Wednesday 21st 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.

A fresher’s first forays into Oxford theatre

Christopher Goring reveals his first experiences in the Oxford drama scene

Review: ‘Living With The Lights On’

Izzy Smith is gripped by a play that shines a light on a dark illness

Review: ‘Moana’

Tesni Jones is impressed with this well-researched and heartwarming addition to the Disney Princesses

‘Into the Fire’: how one song defined a decade of Grey’s Anatomy

Jeannie Stanley explores the implications of the Thirteen Senses hit for the critically acclaimed American drama

Holidays: Cherwell Visuals competition

Whether you spent the vac away or at home, send your holiday art to [email protected] for a chance to see it in print

Review: RA’s Abstract Expressionism

William Freeman is moved from scepticism to epiphany by this diverse exhibition

Review: Run the Jewels – RTJ3

Dom Saad is energised by the call for revolution dominating Run the Jewels' third studio release

Review – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Henry Shalders praises Star Wars' latest addition, which packs both a political and emotional punch

Carrie Fisher: a tribute to the actress who redefined gender expectations in Hollywood

Daniel Curtis and Louis McEvoy remember the actress who transformed Princess Leia into a feminist icon, and pay tribute to Fisher's work outside of the silver screen

George Michael: a tribute to the man of words

Natalia Bus remembers the lyrical genius of the late pop legend

Windy colours

Emma Leech recalls her encounter with Henry the homeless artist and his unexpected colour palette

Post-Christmas ennui: cultural picks for when the inertia sets in

Priya Khaira-Hanks suggests some 2016 favourites to tide you over in those lethargic days between Christmas and New Year

The Oxford Alternotives’ Christmas release: a mingling of warmth and humour

Natalia Bus finds the Oxford Alternotives' Christmas cover both playful and heartfelt

What’s in Cherwell’s (Film and TV) stocking?

Tesni Jones offers some viewing suggestions for a less traditionally festive Christmas period

‘Love Actually’ ten years on: irrelevant ephemera or pertinent modern fairy-tale?

Manish Binukrishnan explores the relevance of this festive classic for our generation

Nativity in art: El Greco, La Tour and Spitzweg

Ewan Davis explores the depiction of the Nativity in 16th, 17th and 19th century art

Review: D@tes

James Lamming enjoys a witty take on 21st century dating at the BT Studio

The return of the epic

Emily Beswick praises epic scope in a culture of brevity

Review: Dreamgirls

Sam Purnell is blown away by this revival of the classic musical at the Savoy Theatre

‘Last Christmas’: a lingering recollection

Emma Leech gets lost in a musical memory

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