Thursday 22nd January 2026

Culture

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.

‘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.

Review: The Hypochondriac

Witty, farcical and mad: this week's play at the Keble O'Reilly was a sheer delight

Introduction to: Grime Instrumentals

George King introduces the sub-low enfant terrible of the British underground

Protest in Art

Delia Lockey discusses how protests are portrayed in culture

My Week: Jen Brennan

Jen Brennan is at University College, reading PPE. She plays percussion for the Oxford University Ceilidh Band.

Letter from Amman

Ollie Radway writes from the capital of Jordan

Review M.I.A. – Matangii

Adam Piascik is impressed by the singer's return to form

Interview: Beans on Toast

Luke Barratt talks songwriting and political apathy with the drunken folk singer

Review: Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2

Luke Barratt is unexpectedly enthralled by Shady's best offering for years

Preview: Chicago

Some classic tunes and even better tuned direction

Interview: Palma Violets

Helen Thomas discusses Chilli-ng out and settling down with the indie frontman

Review: Judgment at Nuremberg

A compelling and assured performance of this unmissable production

Interview: Tavi Gevinson

Anna Leszkiewicz talks firsts, feminism and fans with Rookie editor and rookie actress Tavi Gevinson

Review: Saved

A ridiculous premise that is saved by strong acting and well-cast characters

Review: Raymond Moody’s Blues

Olivia Aylmer muses on Freidrich Kunath's presentation of solitude

Interview: Hadouken!

Matt Broomfield and Daniel Beatty get some nu-rave advice from the grindie upstarts

Review: Arcade Fire – Reflektor

To Hendrik Ehlers, this album is a Very Big Deal

Interview: Portico Quartet

Andrew McLean finds it impossible to pin down the inscrutable quartet

Nathalie Wright’s cultural must-dos

The co-editor of new Oxford magazine interVIEW tells Cherwell about her love of twisted, magical places, Alan Partridge and screaming inappropriately.

Stirring Strings

Cherwell Music presents the soundtrack to your essay crisis

Lou Reed (1942-2013)

Edan Tal pays tribute to a true legend of music

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