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.

Review: Foxfinder

A claustrophobic allegorical tale with a remarkably gifted cast

Review: The Ghosts of Barucone Manor

Lisa Bernhardt enjoys the the 'pleasantly eerie' atmosphere in The Ghosts of Barucone Manor

A Bridge Too Far?

Sadie Levy Gale laments the decline of the nation's favourite diarist

Review: The Death of Maria

A powerful production that flits wonderfully between certainty and doubt

Review: Ibsen’s Ghosts

Interesting set design and a few strong performances cannot salvage this dated production

Preview: The Ghosts of Barucone Manor

Another Halloween-themed show, about spectres, spirits and ghouls

Preview: The Death of Maria

A Halloween tale of witchcraft, torture and cannibalism

Review: Sylvia Plath: Drawings

Siobhan Fenton discusses the poet's sketches, published for the first time by her daughter

Review: Chelsea Hotel by Earthfall

An innovative mix of media that will surely cater to all tastes

A Beginner’s Guide To: Juke House

Lo-fi house music, direct from Chi-town to ChCh

Discussing cultural FOMO (fear of missing out)

Delia Lockey comes to terms with how she missed seeing Disclosure at the O2

My Week- Ksenia Levina

Ksenia gives us an insight into her cultural passions

Letter from St Petersburg

Toby Mather lets us know how he is getting on in St Petersburg

Preview: Foxfinder

A look ahead at this tight, confident and promising performance of Dawn King's dystopia

Album Review: Pearl Jam – Lightning Bolt

Nothing new from the ageing grunge band

Interview: Fossil Collective

Luke Barratt ponders Americana, success and simian body-swaps with Fossil Collective

Review: Spoonface Steinberg

A stellar performance of a mundane script

Review: Out of Print

How can news organisations survive the transition to digital and social media, George Brock asks?

Poem: Oxford

We publish the winning entry to our weekly poetry competition

Cultural reflections

A finalist opens his mind to the aging process and its effect on his cultural identity

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