Thursday 5th February 2026

Culture

Rory Stewart’s ‘Middleland: Dispatches from the Borders’ in review

Middleland (2025) is not his masterpiece, but it is as much worth reading as any of his work – erudite, perceptive, and beautifully written.  

A breakdown in technicolour: ‘Company’ in review

With flashing lights and a shower of confetti, Fennec Fox Productions’ Company bursts onto the Playhouse stage to deliver its exuberant portrayal of romantic pessimism, just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

Lost and found: The art of translation

Translation should be more than mechanic substitution. It demands that the translator acts as a conduit, conveying the intricacies of emotion, style, and intention, while negotiating the hurdles of linguistic complexity.

‘An enormous amount of humour’: ‘Lemons’ review

Lighthouse Productions’ debut project delivered a fast paced, hilarious version of Sam Steiner’s script. Even the argumentative scenes prompted laughs.

Review: Pitchfork Disney

Jack Saville is impressed by an exploration of the dark allure of the grotesque

Review: In Her Eyes

Georgina Wilson is transfixed by a tragic and intimate musical

Interview: Nir Paldi

Naomi Polonsky chats to the creator of a new musical that tackles terror with cross-dressing and cabaret

Preview: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Vicky Holley praises the ambition of the new O’Reilly show

Preview: Semi-Monde

Catherine Shafto looks forward to a play guaranteed to dispel fifth week blues

Review: Normal

Alex Woolley is explains why the title of this play is an apt review

Letter from…Nice

This week Cherwell receives insights into the trains, buses and suitors of the Côte d'Azur

Culture Editorial: Artwork Unfolding at a Glacial Pace

A look at the works of art that seek to put the length of our lives into perspective

Cherwell Culture tries…Grand Theft Auto V

Matt Broomfield fails in his career as a violent criminal

Review: Simon Jay

Ben Horton is underwhelmed by this overambitious comedy

Review: Tartuffe

Anna Corderoy enjoys this fresh attempt at a well-known story

Review: Lone Survivor

Peter Berg's passion project poses as a thoughtful film about warfare, yet is ultimately a dumb nationalistic action-movie

12 Years A Slave – A Holocaust Narrative?

Josh Dolphin considers the cinematic precedents for McQueen's Oscar contender

Review: Yves Saint Laurent

Jalil Lespert's biographical drama is a compelling and moving watch

Foals Surprise Gig

Ellie Caddick gives an up close and personal account of last Saturday's homecoming sweat-fest.

Bargain Bin: Prince – Lovesexy

Helen Thomas sifts through the cringeworthy genius of Prince

Review: Breton – War Room Stories

Helen Thomas wades through the chameleon-like composition on Breton's latest release.

Review: Marissa Nadler – July

Marissa Nadler takes a soporific aesthetic to soaring, dreamy heights on her latest album.

Review: Ekoplekz – Unfidelity

Tom Stafford immerses himself in the abstract, but absorbing textures created on Nick Edwards' latest release for Planet Mu.

Mogwai: Scots still at the rave

Aadit Shankar talks to Mogwai’s Barry Burns about new album, Rave Tapes.

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