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.

When is a book a book?

Review of Terry Eagleton’s latest book of literary criticism

Captivating Calligraphy

Review of the Ashmolean’s exhibition of Qur’anic art

Oxford Oddities #4 – Hertford

Exploring the history of our colleges to discover eccentric artistic personalities.This week: Hertford’s Evelyn Waugh

Women Playwrights

Maria Fox addresses the dearth of women writing for the stage

The Bluffers’ Guide to: Women on Stage

Our weekly guide talks you through all the classic roles available to female actors

The Bard in Drag

Angus Hawkins muses on cross-casting in Shakespeare

Cannes you feel the love tonight?

Nick Hilton examines the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and whether it's just a Hollywood jamboree

Review: The Dictator

Georgina Pollard is pleasantly surprised by the latest film from the creator of Borat

TV Flop of the Week: Made in Chelsea

Carmella Crinnion is sick of everything about Made in Chelsea

Here’s to you, Ms Robinson

Christy Edwall listens to the Pulitzer-prize winning novelist and essayist speak

Review: Bug

Will Tummon is held emotionally captive by this raw, heartfelt and unmissable production

Review: Proof

Jonathan Chapman is not disappointed by this emotional play

Review: Dark Shadows

Georgina Pollard is left somewhat cold by Tim Burton's latest film

Review: Donkeys’ Years

In one of the last bastions of all-male academia, Jonathan Chapman takes in a delightful garden production

Suicide on the rail tracks

Thoughts from inside a train. When somebody took their own life under the wheels of an earlier train, things started to look a bit different.

Preview: The Deep Blue Sea

Timothy Bano previews what looks to be an excellent production of a play full of emotional understatement

Preview: Proof

Angus Hawkins recommends this stunningly good production

Angels and Consolations

Katy Wright provides a glimpse into what it is like to stage an opera

Storming the Bastille

Matthew Robinson and Olivia Arigho-Stiles consider the up-and-coming indie quartet

A Bluffer’s Guide to: Post-Dubstep

Matt Jones explores the latest scene to develop out of the UK Bass culture

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