Tuesday 20th January 2026

Culture

‘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.

The Oxford art calendar: Hilary 2026

Oxford’s frosty Hilary term is best spent looking at new exhibitions. This art calendar will guide you through some of the upcoming highlights.

‘Beautifully we may rot’: ‘Madame La Mort’ in review

In a small, black-painted room on the top floor of a pub in Islington, known as The Hope Theatre, Madame La Mort was staged for the public for the first time.

Damaging detachment: Reflections on the Booker Prize 

This Christmas vac, I made up my mind to get out of my reading slump using the Booker Prize shortlist, revealing toxic masculinity as a key theme.

Preview: The Winterling

Preview of the Winterling, on in 4th week at the Keble O'Reilly Theatre.

Johnny the Az-been

Cherwell takes a look at an unknown classic...

A Whale of a Time!

“A merging and blending of pre-existing styles”

Preview: Midnight at the Rue Morgue

A sneak peak of Oxford's newest immersive theatre offering, full name 'Midnight at the Rue Morgue: The Madness of Edgar Allen Poe'

Preview: Hay Fever

This 1920s comedy will be performed at Brasenose Arts Week with an infectious energy

Interview: Tribes

Luke Barratt plumbs the depths of Johnny Lloyd's opinions on the future of guitar music

Review: Southside Johnny & the Azbury Jukes -Hearts of Stone

Derick J Paterson rediscovers a lesser-known classic

The Top 12 – 3rd Week

Marc Pacitti looks ahead to the top cultural events of 3rd week.

Review: Catchphrase

Delia Lockey finds comfort in the return of an old favourite

Review: Noah and the Whale – Heart of Nowhere

Jack Chown is impressed as this band go from strength to strength

Manet’s Unique Vision

Denise Koller examines Manet's break from tradition in 'Olympia'

Underground Art Movement

Alexander Beecham on the exhibition celebrating the Tube's 150th year

Interview: Peace

Luke Barratt talks shellfish, carpentry and the media with the Birmingham rockers

Spotlight on…The Trial

Evy Cavalla investigates a conceptual adaptation of Kafka's classic

Preview: The Glass Menagerie

Camilla Rees gets a taster of Tennessee Williams' classic

Ashurbanipal

Helen Reid talks to the writer and director of Trinity's most out-there production

Review: Love Is All You Need

This Danish rom-com is ripe with cliché, but lacks zest

Putting a new face to an old name

In trying to force the stage curtain to stay closed, you can inadvertently rip it down.

Some are more gender-equal than others

Sam Atwell examines George Orwell's chauvinism, and the women he loved and lost

Ashurbanipal: The Last Great Metalhead?

Joe Manktelow has a word with the creators of this student play's outlandish soundtrack

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