Saturday 17th January 2026

Culture

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.

In defence of the theatrical release

If film, like all art, nourishes itself on its own œuvre, I don’t think we can afford to sever the association between the cinema and the film.

Falling out of Louvre

In spite of recent events, the expected heightened security was nowhere evident.

The cost of ‘free’: How streaming undermines the value of music

Monthly subscriptions may seem affordable when compared to vinyl, but the cost quickly accumulates.

And the Oscar goes to…?

Georgina Pollard looks forward to the glitter and glamour of the 84th Academy Awards

Decades in Film: the 60s

Emelen Leonard delves into 60s youth culture with a close look at The Graduate.

Review: Phantasm, Magdalen College Chapel

Sam Parsons finds Phantasm's brand of English consort music an absolute pleasure, from beginning to end

One to Watch: Big Hat

The vast majority of ex-sixth form bands are usually very bad. Big Hat, says Natasha Frost, are quite the reverse

Press Preview: The Blind Spot

Alex Sheppard is entertained by this piece of new writing, though it's no royal flush.

Review: Cabaret

There are two ways to a reviewer’s heart: a brilliant production, and free wine. Unfortunately, Joshua Phillips received neither.

Review: Vagina Monologues

Claire Harrill feels that, whilst there are many well observed moments, this production of the Vagina Monologues could have benefitted well from a little more rehearsal

Press Preview: Never Say Never

Jack Powell is nonplussed by this new adaptation.

Review: Under the Mask – OAM

Henry Asson unmasks the Oxford Art Movement

Review: Messiah Man

Daniel Frampton is disappointed by a chaotic and under rehearsed performance of Messiah Man at the Burton Taylor

Review: Wit

Daniel Frampton is impressed by a moving and thought provoking production

Press Preview: Orpheus in the Underworld

Claire Harrill is delighted by this witty operetta.

Review: Of Montreal – Paralytic Stalks

James Black expresses some misgivings about Of Montreal's latest release

Magdalen Film Society: In the Mood for Love

Goh Li Sian reflects on the first film scheduled for MFS's 'Lovesick' week, showing on Sunday 12th February

Life in Film: Chris Foster

Goh Li Sian kicks off our new Life in Film feature by interviewing Chris Foster, Corpus porter

Sneak Peak:The Blind Spot

A sneak peak into the first play from Royal Court young writer Alexander Darby in which a vicious poker game in an elite boarding school exposes public school morality, fractured ego and callous teenage humanity.

Falling out of love with reality

Emily Hislop discusses the breakdown in our relationship with docu-TV

Review: Carnage

Joseph Newall deliberates Polanski's middle class farce

Decades in Film: the 50s

Benjamin McEvoy kicks back with Brando and Dean

Culture Vulture

The culture editors pick over the carcasses of fourth week's offerings

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