Culture

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.

Seasonal reads: On childhood hobbies, growing up, and guilt

Reconnecting with reading is something many people tend to do on a summer holiday,...

A capp-hell-yeah!

Patrick Scott and Olivia Arigho-Stiles contemplate a cappella music

Review: Moonrise Kingdom

Nick Hilton is charmed by the latest offering from Wes 'Rushmore' Anderson

Review: Closer

Rosalee Edwards finds that this play spectacularly exceeds her expectations

Preview: Kissing the Floor

Rosalee Edwards takes a look at this unusual and thought provoking adaptation

Bill Nighy at the Union

Xin Fan and Cherwell Film explore the veteran actor's thoughts on film

TV Flop of the Week: The Rebuttal

Jack Evans spars with Cherwell TV over Made in Chelsea

Review: What to Expect When You’re Expecting

Georgina Pollard is dismayed by this new, starry film

Review: Love’s Labour’s Lost

Ed Bell is enthralled by Rough-Hewn's lively production of this early Shakespearean comedy

Sweet-talking Billy

Patrick Scott speaks to Sweet Billy Pilgrim about their recent album

Review: Sigur Rós – Valtari

Tom Hoskins finds Valtari to continue Sigur Rós' impressive run of music that can only be described as beautiful

Review: Richard Hawley – Standing at the Sky’s Edge

Aaron Payne finds Richard Hawley's new direction holding its own, but only just

Review: Regina Spektor – What We Saw From the Cheap Seats

Marc Pacitti enjoys an album that embraces the mainstream and is all the better for it

Preview: Love’s Labour’s Lost, Christ Church Cathedral

Barbara Speed urges you to watch this lighthearted and energetic production of Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost, in an idyllic Oxford setting

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

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