Monday 23rd February 2026

Culture

Art is an argument, so argue back

Often, how much we like artwork comes down to ‘vibes’, initial gut-reactions we make, and then quickly negate by stating that surely it's all about taste.

Red soles, red flags: Jaden Smith and the celebrity takeover of high fashion

Smith’s appointment has raised some serious questions about the extent to which nepotism and celebrity is superseding artistic talent in the fashion industry at present.

The ‘Silent’ Film

Not speaking does not necessarily mean having nothing to say. As much can be said with an image, movement, or glance as with a word.

A day in The Sun: ‘Ink’ at St John’s

James Graham’s Ink, directed by Georgina Cooper with the St John’s Drama Society, dramatises Rupert Murdoch’s acquisition of The Sun in the 1960s, tracing its astonishing surge to unprecedented popularity.

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

Jammin to… ‘Apricot’ by Basil Hogios

Antonia Whitton evangelizes about a fleeting moment of brilliance

Daft Punk in a funk

Sam Parsons is consumed with righteous anger at new single 'Get Lucky'

Preview: 1984

Tess Colley expects good things from this adaptation of Orwell's classic

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