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: 12 Angry Women

Rosalee Edwards listens in on this 'whirlwind experiment' ****

Review: The Dig

David McShane considers the poetic resonance of Cynan Jones' latest novel.

The trouble with Tarantino

Ollie Johnson charts the decline in the career of a past master

Review: Inside Llewyn Davis

James Martin suggests that the new Coen Brothers film is some of their best work, with a brilliant debut performance from Oscar Isaac

Review: 366 Days of Kindness

Emily Holman is moved by this plea for human kindness

Preview: Marriage of Figaro

Naomi Polonsky looks hopefully to the start of mainstream opera

Who Needs the Fourth Wall?

Georgina Wilson explains whats standing between Us and Them

Preview: 12 Angry Women

Sam Graydon enthusiastically looks ahead to this performance

Culture Editorial… Sochi Olympics

Evy Cavalla calls Putin's motives into question

Cherwell tries… Tap Dance

Tap lessons put a twinkle in Evy Cavalla's toes

Review: CAGE – Circus on Finnegan’s Wake

Lars Kilgars is pleasantly surprised by this performance of Cage's roatorio

Letter from… Canada

Tom Seal dishes the dirt on Canada's tar sands

Bargain Bin: Bruce Springsteen- Hammersmith Odeon London ’75

Cherwell trawls charity shops looking for musical bargains

Review: Alcest – Shelter

From deep-rooted black metal to post-rock liquid vocals, Joe Mankeltow explores the transition Alcest have made with new record, Shelter.

Review: Gem Club – In Roses

Rushabh studies the dream pop melancholy of Gem Club's new album.

Review: Bombay Bicycle Club – So Long, See You Tomorrow

Helen Thomas reviews the latest offering from indie folk band Bombay Bicycle Club.

Loading the Canon

Cherwell calls for new additions to the literary establishment.

Review: Anti-Slam Poetry

Laura-Beth Shanahan listens to some bad poetry at the Old Fire Station

Interview: Hauschka

Enyuan Khong talks dark soundscapes and ghost cities with Volker Bertelmann

Live Review: Warpaint

Helen Thomas reviews the dream pop performance of all female four-piece Warpaint at the O2 Academy

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