Friday 27th February 2026

Culture

Kooky and self-assured: ‘Brew Hill’ in review

Pecadillo Productions’ latest show is (quite rightly) aiming for Fringe, but this kooky, self-assured tragicomedy has immediate cult classic potential.

Art is an argument, so argue back

Often, how much we like artwork comes down to ‘vibes’, initial gut-reactions we make, and then quickly negate by stating that surely it's all about taste.

Red soles, red flags: Jaden Smith and the celebrity takeover of high fashion

Smith’s appointment has raised some serious questions about the extent to which nepotism and celebrity is superseding artistic talent in the fashion industry at present.

The ‘Silent’ Film

Not speaking does not necessarily mean having nothing to say. As much can be said with an image, movement, or glance as with a word.

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

Send in the Clowns

Lauri Saksa takes advantage of a ringside seat at Michelle Obama's address at Christ Church on Wednesday and sneaks some snapshots of FLOTUS and her attendant media circus

From Page to Picture: Kazuo Ishiguro

Cherwell meets the authors behind the books behind the films you love. Kazuo Ishiguro speaks about the complex relationship between film and the written word

Review: The Merchant of Venice

Conor Tucker discusses how RSC's most recent production of The Merchant of Venice doesn't quite add up

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