Culture

One f**king thing after another: ‘The History Boys’, revisited

Grab your motorcycle helmet. Sharpen up on the subjunctive. And cue the synthetic pulses of ‘Blue Monday’. The History Boys is back. Alan Bennett’s 2004 play followed a cast of...

What are you looking at? A reflection on the Ashmolean’s Aphrodite exhibition 

The woman crouches, nude. A gauzy blue curtain hangs where she hides her chest;...

The midterms and the YA novel: Impossibly happy endings

Given its intense media coverage and everything that seems to be on the line, I feel as though I have been anxiously awaiting the results of the 2026 US midterm elections for weeks, months – maybe years.

How books are burned today

It is a worrying thought that what sits on your bookshelf today could be...

Review: ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore

Bethan Roberts is entertained by a modernisation of this racy classic

Review: OUDS New Writing Festival presents Love Plus

Nathan Ellis enjoys an accomplished work of sci-fi on stage

Verdict: The Oscars 2014

Marcus Balmer enjoys another awards ceremony. Another year of farcicle, pompous, ultimately insignificant fun.

Review: The Caucasian Chalk Circle

Emma Hewitt is impressed by a thoughtful and staunchly authentic version of Brecht's parable

Interview: Alan Ayckbourn

Emma Hewitt chats to the Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright

Live Review: Royal Blood – The Art Bar

After recovering from the ear damage, Cherwell reviews last week's gig with hotly tipped rockers Royal Blood.

Review: Pharrell Williams – G I R L

Cherwell reviews the hip-hop-turned-pop superstar's latest release.

Review: Eagulls – Eagulls

Jack Chown listens to the debut album of gritty garage rock band Eagulls

Keeping track with Superfood

Rushabh Haria talks to Dom Ganderton, lead singer of the Birmingham band.

Review: A Great Big World – Is Anybody Out There

The debut from the New York duo brings cringey, poptastic composition to bear on an annoyingly enjoyable record.

Bargain Bin: Street Sounds Edition 3

Cherwell trawls record shops for musical bargains.

Review: Pearls Negras – Biggie Apple Mixtape

The fury and frustration of Brazil's disaffected youth is perfectly encapsulated in the new mixtape from Pearls Negras.

Review: Wild Beasts – Present Tense

Wild Beasts step out of the wilderness on their latest outing

Interview: Rae Earl

Alice King speaks to the author behind 'My Mad Fat Teenage Diary' about mental health

Preview: Caucasian Chalk Circle

Ben Horton appreciates this mix of bleak human tragedy and guffaw-inducing satirical comedy

Focus on: Austentatious

Alice Troy-Donovan meets the makers of this innovative period comedy

Culture Editorial: Translating The Untranslatable

Evy Cavalla on beauty and fidelity in translation

Review: House of Cards

Veronica Heney watched all thirteen episodes of this excellent series in two days, and she suggests you do the same

Comedy: It’s a man’s world?

Ollie Johnson explores TV's narrow-minded view on comedy

Review: REPLAY

Lisa Bernhardt is gripped by the unnerving exploration of an obsessive relationship

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