Culture

A jarring Mann: ‘Fatherland’ (2026) in review

Fatherland, which recounts celebrated Modernist author Thomas Mann’s return to a Germany in wreck and rubble, deals with great personal malaise against a backdrop of great political unease.

Why does everyone like East of Eden so much?

A beautiful book, written in a determinedly readable style, is bound to become popular, not to mention the endless power of nostalgia.

The return of the surreal 

Mythical, dreamlike, phantasmagorical, and absurd: Surrealism, which took the art world by storm in...

Must theatre be so dire? Thoughts on the “unworthy scaffold”

If 'art est celare artem' (true art is to conceal art), then theatre is pretty poor art. You ain't fooling me into thinking that's a storm.

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.

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

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