Culture

The midterms and the YA novel: Impossibly happy endings

Given its intense media coverage and everything that seems to be on the line, I feel as though I have been anxiously awaiting the results of the 2026 US midterm elections for weeks, months – maybe years.

How books are burned today

It is a worrying thought that what sits on your bookshelf today could be...

The burden of the face: Why are so many singers wearing masks?

We can all name at least one musician who has performed behind a balaclava, helmet, or hood. Whether to preserve anonymity, cultivate mystery, or construct an entirely new artistic identity, masking the face is common among those under the limelight.

New Oxford Windrush generation exhibit opens for Black History Month 

Amidst recent political tension provoked by the government’s refusal of slavery reparations to the...

A new braid for shoegaze?

Braids talk to Cherwell about new material, touring and Tyler the Creator before their Jericho gig

Exploring the Emerald Isle

Beth Cradick ventures outside to capture the wild and beautiful Irish coastline in West Cork

To Gil Scott-Heron

RemiX pays tribute to the godfather of rap and hip hop following his sudden death

Review: Oxford University Orchestra, Hilary Davan Wetton

Cherwell is impressed by Oxford University Orchestra's Trinity term performance under the distinguished baton of Hilary Davan Wetton

Monkeying Around

Andrew Campbell Black takes a penetrative look into the life of primates

Review: Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the New Theatre

The South African troupe prove that age is just a number as they bring energy and virtuosity to the stage

Review: Amadeus

Marcus Roberts finds much to applaud in this entertaining retelling of the Mozart myth

Review: Blue Remembered Hills

Dennis Potter's play provides a telling look at the trials of a rustic childhood and human cruelty for May Anderson

Review: C.A.R.N.

In the hidden recesses of Oriel, Rebecca Tatlow plays along and tries not to lose the plot.

Review: A Row of Parked Cars

Josephine Sarchet is engaged by this revival of Matthew Parvin's two-man play about suicide and psychotherapy

Review: Act before you Speak

Hail to the Silence. Fiamma Mazzocchi Alemanni watches a play inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet

Review: Lovers: Winners

Lovers triumph in this production of Brian Friel's one-act play about the difficulties of young love

Review: 4:48 Psychosis

May Anderson diagnoses a case of dramatic apathy in this production of Sarah Kane's final work

From Page to Screen

Following the success of We Need To Talk About Kevin at Cannes, Cherwell asks what makes a good adaptation of a book to film

Here comes the sunflower

Remi tells us what happens when you put a bunch of hipsters in a room full of poetry, indie music and 60s rock n' roll

First Night Review: The Importance of Being Earnest

Eleri Thomas finds a new production of Wilde's farce 'utterly droll'

Interview: Shabazz Palaces

Ishmael Butler from the Seattle based hip hop group, Shabazz Palaces, ironically talks to Cherwell about shying away from press

Review: Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, New Theatre

Cherwell is blown away by the energy and passion of this Grammy Award Winning latin collective

Review: The Oresteia

Finola Austin is thoroughly turned off by a reworking of The Oresteia and discusses how it takes metatheatre too far

First Night Review: DNA

Rosalind Stone is blown away by the open air production of the play,DNA

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