Every month we do something cultural together. We call them Cog Nights. We each take a turn to review or write up our thoughts and we commission an accompanying image from an emerging illustration talent.
Cultural calendars of 2024
There’s no AI involved, just raw ability. Here are the illustrations from 2024, with links to each journal entry.
The header image, above was created by Maddy Vian.
Cowbois: Illustration by Stephanie Anjo
LPO: Illustration by Lada Chizhova
January
Our January Cog Night was the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Charlie Josephine’s Cowbois at the Royal Court.
Illustration by Stephanie Anjo.
February
For our February Cog Night we were at St. John’s in Waterloo for an early evening of jazz vignettes presented by ensembles from the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Michael gives us his take.
Illustration by Lada Chizhova.
Figs in Wigs: Illustration by Elly Walton
Boys on the Verge of Tears: Illustration by Lou Kiss
March
Our March Cog Night took us to Battersea Arts Centre to see Figs in Wigs perform their Big Finish. Lily gave us her thoughts.
Illustration by Elly Walton.
April
The Cog Team visited regular haunt Soho Theatre to see a new play that peeled back the layers of masculine vulnerability with humour and tragedy, Boys on the Verge of Tears. Would it leave us emotionally drained? Justin gave us his answer.
Illustration by Lou Kiss.
A Song of Songs: illustration by Carolina Altavilla.
Bat Night: illustration by Tess Farlow
May
For our May Cog Night, the team travelled to Finsbury Park, to the wonderful Park Theatre, to see A Song of Songs, written, directed and starring Ofra Daniel. Michael gave us his thoughts.
Illustration by Carolina Altavilla.
June
Alex gave his take on our June Cog Night, where we were taken on a time travelling culinary journey to a (complicated) future without bats.
Illustration by Tess Farlow.
Richard III: illustration by Elizabeth Sanduvete
The Years: illustration by Monika Jurczyk
July
A beautiful evening promised Summer delights at the stunning Shakespeare’s Globe, but all was not as it seemed for our July Cog Night as Nick explains all.
Illustration by Elizabeth Sanduvete.
August
Our August Cog Night took us to Almeida Theatre to see a new stage adaptation of The Years, a “collective memoir” by Annie Ernaux. Beth shared her thoughts.
Illustration by Monika Jurczyk.
The Real Ones: Illustration by Jenny Tarr
Film shorts: Illustration by José Fernández Villamayor
September
For September’s Cog Night, the team were at Bush Theatre for The Real Ones. Nazma gave her review.
Illustration by Jenny Tarr
October
October’s Cog Night was remote and virtual. A welcome chance to spend more time with each other outside of work hours, without having to worry about catching the last train home. Several of the team added notes to our journal.
Illustration by José Fernández Villamayor
Related
Cultural calendars of 2025
Every month we do something cultural together. We commission an accompanying image from an emerging illustration talent.
Cultural calendars of 2022
Every month we do something cultural together. We commission an accompanying image from an emerging illustration talent.
Cultural calendars of 2023
Every month we do something cultural together. We commission an accompanying image from an emerging illustration talent.