Sunday 25th January 2026

Culture

Family Resemblance: Oxford’s Twin Cities

From prestigious university towns to ancient settlements, Oxford is twinned with seven cities around the world, spread across three continents.

A noble mind o’erthrown: ‘Hamlet’ at the National Theatre

This month, Hamlet returns to the stage in a new production soon to be released on National Theatre Live, following its staging last autumn.  

Lighthouse Productions on ‘Lemons’

The team outlined the vision for their debut production: a political, surrealist piece of contemporary theatre.

In defence of the live-action remake

Live-action remakes, when viewed with an open mind, can be seen as cultural negotiations, as attempts to revitalise and pass down old stories to new eyes and ears.

Top 20 Albums of 2013

As we enter the new year, Daniel Beatty takes a look at the album highlights of 2013.

Review: Call The Midwife Christmas Special

Catherine Shafto reflects fondly upon a Christmas special characterised by a note of hope and affection

Review: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Ben Stiller's warming story of self-discovery is ambitious and implausible but ultimately a success

Peter Pan goes wrong

Laura Stacey is won over by slapstick in this play-within-a-play. *****

The Christmas Story in Arts and Books

With the festive season drawing to a close, Cherwell brings you the Christmas story retold through Arts and Books to hold on to the cheer.

Review: Downton Abbey Christmas Special 2013

The Downton Christmas Special can only be described as 'meh', according to Veronica Heney, but this is still an improvement on the rest of the series

Review: Picture This

Emma Simpson visits the British Library to discover how illustrators over the years have interpreted classic children's tales

Review: Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013

Marcus Balmer finds 'The Time Of The Doctor' a deeply unsatisfying conclusion to Matt Smith's reign in the blue box

Top 20 Tracks of 2013

Matt Broomfield shares his favourite tracks from 2013. What were yours?

Taking The Mask Off Burial

Looking from past to present, Adam Piascik tells us about Burial, a dubstep artist shrouded in mystery, and the new directions of his latest release.

Review: Journey by Moonlight

Antal Szerb's subtle articulacy and sense of wonder turn a novel preoccupied with death into a celebration of life

More Than Just Play?

Emma Hewitt discusses the risks of censorship in theatre

Review: Nebraska

Alexander Payne's latest feature is saddening, hilarious and heart-warming - largely due to Bruce Dern's compelling performance

Interview: Dannie Abse and Hannah Ellis

Haf Davies explores the ferociously Welsh poetic heritage of Dylan Thomas

Review: The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug

Though a vast improvement on the first instalment of 'The Hobbit', Peter Jackson's latest Middle Earth offering is still unable to fully capture the magic of Tolkien.

The 5 biggest music baddies of 2013

In descending order of baddiness, Helen Thomas takes you through the lowest points the music world reached this year, and the five villainous artists that made them happen.

The price of pantomime

Georgina Wilson discusses the cost of 'He's-Behind-You!'

Cherwell’s cultural Christmas cracker

If you are at a loss as to what to put on your Christmas list, do not fear! Art and Books have helpfully provided a guide to the brightest and best cultural offerings this Christmas vacation

What does ‘cool’ mean?

Luke Barratt considers our cultural conception of the word 'cool'

Letter from Cowley

Abby Carroll writes home from a far-flung region

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