Saturday 23rd May 2026

Culture

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ in review

The Harris Manchester Players immersed Oxford’s inhabitants in the delightful world of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest this May.

Inarticulacy in part and in whole: ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’ in review

When I heard that Jim Jarmusch had released a new anthology film, I fondly remembered watching Night on Earth (1991) some years ago.

On Geese and the Cult of the Fake Fan

Great statistics could be drawn up about how often men in Oxford will want to talk to me about Geese. 

Booksmaxxing and the illusion of being “disgustingly educated”

If you are as chronically online as I am, then it is more than...

Review: Sherlock episode 3

'His Last Vow' was an infuriating piece of television. Gimmicky and repetitive, Moffat and Gatiss' passion project seems to have run out of steam.

Revisiting ‘La Belle et la Bête’

With the remastered edition of Jean Cocteau's 1946 fairy-tale hitting selected cinemas, James Martin takes a look back at this timeless, magical masterpiece.

Review: The 7.39

Eliza Plowden finds David Nicholl's drama honest and gently charming

Review: Revenge Season 3 Episode 1

Vacuous and poorly acted though it may be, the abundance of beautiful people is sure to keep the '90210' generation happy

Review: Sherlock Episode 2

Unfortunately, 'The Sign of Three' is corny, incoherent and annoying.

Review: Fiji Land

Georgina Wilson is bemused and intrigued by some pot plants

Review: Fortune’s Fool

Alice Theobald is delighted by this melancholic melodrama

Review: Frozen

Lucy Diver finds Disney's latest offering a beautiful and smart movie (with catchy songs!)

Review: Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

A powerful, engaging and instructive reflection on the life of an extraordinary man

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

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