Thursday 14th August 2025

Culture

Beyond the binary: Leigh Bowery’s radical individuality

Tate Modern's "Leigh Bowery!" refuses easy categorisation—much like its subject A fashion student from Sunshine, Melbourne, rocks up to London in 1980, writes 'wear makeup everyday' on his New Year's...

St Anne’s goes All-Steinway: A purposeful and bold commitment to music

In a move that lives up to its motto of ‘Consulto et Audacter’ (purposefully...

Just like the movies: An American’s notes on her Oxford year

Oxford occupies a mystical, almost fantastical place within the American psyche – so much...

Reading Oxford books in Oxford

For those who have not even set foot in Oxford, the city still lives...

Frantz: a wrenching tale of remembrance

The French-German film Frantz, however, has gone unnoticed by many English-speaking viewers, despite being one of the most powerful films released to explore the after-effects of World War I.

Film Firsts: Nothing gets lost in translation with my first foreign film

Beyond even the sprawling shots of the Indian landscapes, Hirani’s film achieves the quality of epic.

Dirty Dancing Review – ‘gives fans exactly what they want’

Maxim Mower enjoys a touring production of Dirty Dancing at the New Theatre, which he says will satisfy lovers of the 1987 movie.

“After three hours in an Omniplex I am, at least, still alive” – livestreaming from theatre to cinema

Dorothy McDowell sees potential in livestreaming theatre, but it still fails to reach a mainstream audience

True West Review – ‘this is truly sweet suburban silence’

Sam Shepard's play explores the tensions behind the American Dream.

Poetry in motion: the nature of lyrics

Should lyrics be given the same respect as poetry?

Armitage’s Gawain: translating in wylde wayeȝ

"Translation is not without flaws – it cannot help but alter authorial voice, although the degree to which this takes place is certainly not consistent."

The Winter’s Tale review – atmospheric and otherworldly

Nicole Jashapara is charmed by this production's aesthetic and comic performances

Auditioning – what it’s actually like

Beata Kuczynska provides a look behind the curtain at the highs and lows of the auditioning process

The Admirable Crichton Review – ‘a light-hearted antidote to eighth week’

Simone Fraser finds Corpus Christi Owlets' new production to be effective comic relief in eighth week.

The natural world: unconventional spaces for art

"The natural world enhances both creator’s and viewers’ experiences of the art in a way that the setting of a gallery could not."

Blood Brothers Review – ‘truly exceptional theatre’

Katie Sayer is wowed by the quality of a touring production of the 1983 musical.

When and why did Netflix movies get so good?

Prestige talent is coming to Netflix in moves that may revolutionise cinema as we know it

An Unexpected Visitor Review – ‘performed in a unique space but falls short’

The setting of Mercury Theatre Productions' newly written play is impressive but the writing requires reworking.

Dare to be different, or the Devil we know?

Everyone should be watching Daredevil

Brink Review – ‘brilliant from start to finish’

Nitrous Cow Productions' new play has a high standard of acting and great technical sophistication

Little Eyolf review – modern and experimental but lacking depth

An experimental and bold play held back by limited character development

Fantastic Bore And Where To Fail Your Fans

The latest 'Fantastic Beasts' will leave you disappointed

Review: Sweetener by Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande finds produces some intermittent bangers while caught in the changing tides of contemporary pop

Table Manners Review – ‘subtly and successfully updated’

Flared Productions' new take on Alan Ayckbourn's 1973 play is highly enjoyable

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