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: An Evening of Dance

Rebecca Tatlow watches dancers reach for the stars at Wadham's town and gown charity event, An Evening of Dance

Dramatherapy: theatre’s love-child

Carla Neuss discovers the psychological benefits of theatre

The Tortoise and the Fair

Kathleen Bloomfield and Lauri Saksa spend the day watching and photographing Oxford's annual tortoise fair

Review: Paul Hillier, Theatre of Voices – Stories

Paul Hillier leads Theatre of Voices in an enthusiastic and dramatic performance of John Cage and Luciano Berio

Knowing the score

Cherwell reports on the Cavatina Trust, an organisation aiming to break down the stuffy conventions of classical music

Review: Friendly Fires – PALA

The trio from St Albans offer us a sophomore album which, despite its tropical beats and infectious ambience, doesn't fully live up to expectation

Review: Kate Bush Director’s Cut

Cherwell is unconvinced by Kate Bush's latest offering which remasters and reimagines her old hits rather than offering up new ones

An odd future for hip hop?

Thomas May talks about how Tyler, The Creator has taken his transgressive act from the blogosphere to the mainstream with aplomb

Mambazo are on a mission

Cherwell chats with Albert Mazibuko, one of the original members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo

The Lives of Others

Jessica Goodman's skilful street photography captures the lives of others in just one click

One lucky bastard

Christy Edwall hears Tom Stoppard at the Sheldonian discuss the role of the artist

Review: Les Précieuses ridicules

Helen Tatlow passes a whimsical hour at Moliere's comedy of manners

And the rest is art history

Cherwell talks to art critic and Christ Church alumnus Andrew Graham-Dixon

Joe Cornish: Chip off the old block

Cherwell speaks to first-time director Joe Cornish about his film Attack the Block

Painting the moment

Cherwell meets painter Clova Stuart-Hamilton to discuss Oxford Art Weeks, painting Calpol, and ‘in the moment-ness’

A right repentant madam

May Anderson is entertained by The City Madam

Review: Smother

Wild Beasts return with a cleaner, more atmospheric album

Papa Loach… and son

Cherwell takes a look at Ken Loach in the wake of the directorial debut of his son, Jim

Review: The Rover

Fiamma Mazzocchi Alemanni is wooed by Restoration comedy, The Rover

Review: She Was Yellow

May Anderson is provoked by a five-star production of a stunning piece of new writing

Follow us