Monday 11th May 2026

Culture

May Morning

Smudged mascara and the curling of coffee steam. Small yawns and the shuffling of boots. Tangled hair plaited by the same girl from first-year, a crumbly pastry shared with...

Sunday

That Sunday could arrive first-class, Wrapped in tissue and stickers with minimalist logo. Sent anonymously (from...

Hail Agnes full of grace: ‘Hamnet’ and the perfect mother figure

A couple of days ago, I saw an Instagram reel (in the Friends tab,...

Stubborn, devout, doomed: ‘The Anti-gone’ reviewed

When The Anti-gone begins, the only thing onstage is a lectern – stark in the harsh white light and terribly lonely – before Ismene (Kitty Brown) walks uncertainly down the aisle and stares, torn and lost, into the audience.

Review: New Worlds

Channel 4's new historical drama is clunky, clichéd and downright confusing

Review: The Double

Richard Ayoade's sophomore directing effort is a tantalising and arresting piece of work

Pre-Release Thoughts: The Maleficent Conundrum

Anna Corderoy considers the problems facing Disney's Sleeping Beauty 're-telling' starring Angelina Jolie

Kate Rundell wins the Waterstones Children’s book prize

Cherwell revisits an interview with the author as Rooftoppers wins the 10th Waterstones Children's Book Prize.

A ‘case’ for the Anglo-Saxons

Emma Simpson visits the British Museum’s refurbished Sutton Hoo gallery.

Review: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Wes Anderson's latest film is a delightfully self-reflexive movie which demonstrates Ralph Fiennes hitherto untapped comic potential

Review: Under The Skin

There is a hauntingly austere beauty to 'Under The Skin', but some may not be able to sustain interest in this emotionally muted world.

Review: The Past

Asghar Farhadi's emotional drama once again proves his virtuosity as a film-maker

The Mighty Comeback

Inspired by Kate Bush's recent gig announcement, Rushabh Haria charts the highs and lows of artists who've come out of their career hiatus to make last ditch attempts at reclaiming the charts.

Don’t limit literature in prison

Why building books into an incentive and reward scheme is entirely counterproductive.

Review: Starred Up

Niamh McIntyre finds David Mackenzie's British prison drama to be a compelling and unflinching look at life behind bars

Printers and Presses

Isaac Goodwin takes a trip to the Bodleian’s historic presses with the Bibliophiles.

The Gods are in us: Kate Tempest

David McShane on why Tempest's epic spoken-word poetry is best seen live.

Review: Pterodactyls

Zoe Slater is compelled by this dark comedy about a dysfunctional family

Review: Dial M for Murder

Emma Papworth relishes the murderous machinations in this staged thriller

Review: The Curious Case of the Improvised Musical

Vicky Holley is enraptured by this improvised musical comedy extravaganza

Review: Devised Play I – Fear

Ellie Wade fears that the play's title eclipses an excellent production

Interview: Eagulls

Two weeks after the release of their self-titled debut album, Helen Thomas talks to frontman George Mitchell about punk, writing and smurfs

Review: Great Gatsby

Naomi Polonsky finds this show 'almost' great.

Preview: Pterodactlys

Georgina Wilson is bewitched by this symbolic portrayal of a family

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