Culture

The legacy of the caricature

That the ‘In Memoriam’ section of the 2026 Academy Awards is going to be a serious tear-jerker was solidified by the passing of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry over two consecutive days.

The problem with Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’

Nolan had all the tools for greatness. Instead, to my eternal frustration, his 'Odyssey' will always only be just alright.

‘One Night Only’ (2026) and the death of romance

Romance movies are, on the whole, my favourite movie genre. But good romance movies, like good romantic relationships, are hard to find, and easy to mess up.

Caught between grief and hope: ‘On Some Far Shore’ reviewed

Fresh off the back of 'Our House' and 'Macbeth', Cross Key Productions presents an original three-hander focused on the complexities of grief and young love.

Science fiction that shaped the Revolution

Daniel Antonio Villar looks at the impact of Red Star, by Alexander Bognadov

Philip Pullman’s La Belle Sauvage: His Darkest One Yet

Raffaella Sero reviews Philip Pullman's latest novel

Hollywood’s glamourising of Beauty and the Beast buries its troubling implications

21st century reimaginings of classic fairytales do not address the dark politics that underpin them. Susannah Goldsbrough explores.

Preview: ‘Lovesong’ – “one of the best pieces of student theatre this year”

John Livesey is blown away by a preview of the sold-out 'Lovesong'

Review: ‘Yellow’ – “sensitive and complex”

Zad El Bacha is highly impressed with 'Yellow', an adaptation of Charlotte Perkin Gilman's 'The Yellow Wallpaper', at the Pilch

Five Minutes With… Hugh Tappin

In our final interview of term, we chat to Hugh Tappin, of Nitrous Cow Productions

Lucy Rose enraptures and comforts her audience in Oxford

Ollie Braddy reflects on an atmospheric evening of intricate vocals set against the backdrop of a 19th century church

No soggy bottoms, as Channel Four puts the icing on the cake

The move may have halved its viewing figures, but hasn't diminished any of its charm

The insincerity of the female nude

Women should not be afraid to reclaim their naked bodies, writes Priya Vempali

Memorable sax solos and individual flair at the Varsity jazz-off

If this show was about demonstrating the very best they can do, then Oxford delivered

Mountains review – ‘uncomfortable and immersive’

Michael O'Connor is impressed by this unorthodox performance.

Rock’s best storyteller

"Darnielle's new novel confirms the status that Rolling Stone granted him; Rock's best storyteller", writes Barney Pite.

House of Fear and the reinvention of fairytale

Libby Cherry writes about the feminist undertones to Leonora Carrington's The Hearing Trumpet

“There is a selfish core to Mark that is the sort of thing that a sitcom character needs”

Comedian and Peep Show star David Mitchell talks to El Blackwood about the similarities between him and Mark Corrigan.

Ten years on, Burial’s ‘Untrue’ is still dripping with raw emotion

Joe Bavs reminisces on an experimental classic

As You Like It review – ‘Slightly flat, with a twist of theatrical magic’

Shared Experience’s reinterpretation of As You Like It is surprising and worth a watch, writes Harry Hatwell

Five minutes with: Audrey, the mysterious figurehead of The Oxford Revue

This week, we chat to Audrey, the Oxford Revue’s mysterious icon.

‘Twelfth Night’ review – ‘The Luscombe effect strikes again’

The RSC’s new version of Twelfth Night is an innovative reinterpretation, writes Katie Sayer

‘Volpone’ review – “Overdone accents but an otherwise fantastic production”

Amelia Coen enjoys Seeing Hand Production's witty Blackpool update of Johnson's satire

‘Volpone’ preview – “a very potent type of dramatic humour”

John Livesey is excited by 'Volpone', playing at the Keble O'Reilly in 7th week

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