Culture

The return of the surreal 

Mythical, dreamlike, phantasmagorical, and absurd: Surrealism, which took the art world by storm in the early 20th century, has enjoyed a huge resurgence in the past decade.  The original pioneers...

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,...

Between beer gardens and picnics: Climate Culture Care at the Ashmolean

When I returned to Oxford this term, just as England teased us with the sixth heat-wave of the year, I found myself at a loose end. With the deadline for two vacation essays still far in the distance, the sun lit up the sign for Soma Surovi Jannat’s Ashmolean Now exhibition, Climate Culture Care.

Not-so-horrible histories

Ella Sands recommends five history books you might actually enjoy

Cult Books: The Other Hand

Cult Books continues with Fay Lomas' review of a future cult classic

Scenes at the sexhibition

Richard O’Brien visits Sexual Nature at the Natural History Museum

Re-living Stalingrad’s horrors

Master of militaria Antony Beevor tells Robin McGhee the secrets of writing the Second World War

Review: Mammals

Katy Ebner-Landy gets hot under the collar for some red-blooded theatre

Hong Kong

Clare Richards brings a view from the eastern metropolis

Review: Melancholia

James Aber reviews Melancholia

Review: We Need to Talk About Kevin

Joseph Newall reviews We Need to Talk About Kevin

Pictures speak louder than words

Jacob Williamson vents his frustration with subtitled films

Paying a debt to Greek tragedy

Finola Austin talks to the people bringing Aeschylus’ tragedy Clytemnestra back to Oxford in its native language

Preview: Mammals

Dan Frampton finds Mammals to be polished and professional. Mammals is on in the Burton Taylor in 4th Week.

Preview: Dead Funny

Dead Funny is on at the Simpkins Lee Theatre in 4th Week

Director’s Blog – Noughts and Crosses Week Four

Phosile talks rehearsals and ticket sales in the run-up to her Oxford production of Noughts and Crosses

Review: Sandro Perri – Impossible Spaces

Tom May discusses Impossible Spaces, the sophomore record from Canadian singer-songwriter Sandro Perri

Review: Tom Waits – Bad As Me

Simon Torracinta looks at the latest release from longtime (and absolutely singular) artist Tom Waits

Bombay Bicycle Club curries favour

Patrick Scott chats to the London quartet about their new album and finding their feet in the studio

First Night Review : Children Of Oedipus

James Blythe goes to the first night of the Greek Tragedy, and isn't overwhelmed

Review: The Field – Looping State of Mind

Jake Hills review the new effort from techno producer Axel Willner (alias The Field)

Review: M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

Natasha Frost tackles the hefty double album from one-man stadium-shoegaze pop sensation Anthony Gonzales (M83).

Interview: Mazes and Milk Maid

Simon Torracinta discusses the Manchester DIY scene with lo-fi champions Mazes and Milk Maid

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