David Bower

With over thirty years in the industry, David Bower firmly believes in the transformative power of art. His passion lies in exploring the depths of character, uncovering both the highs and lows on their journey. David attended the innovative “Theatre of the Deaf” course at Bulmershe College of Further Education in 1987. Here, he delved into the techniques and cultural impact of Deaf Theatre. Geoff Buckley, a close friend of Steven Berkoff and a mime artist, left an indelible mark as a teacher on David’s career. Buckley demonstrated that performances could speak volumes without words. Under the tutelage of lifelong teacher and partner Isolte Avila, David mastered the groundbreaking Signdance Theatre methodology and embraced the Californian Institute of the Arts philosophy. You might recognize David as Hugh Grant’s brother in Richard Curtis’ Four Weddings and a Funeral. His work at BBC Radio 4 garnered acclaim, including an APA Award nomination in 2021 for portraying John Singer in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and a best BBC radio production award for his performance as Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (adapted by Jack Thorne and Alex Bulmer). David hails from Welsh Mancunian roots, with family connections in Anglesey and Salford. He finds solace in nature, swimming, cycling, and literature including Roger Deakin and Umberto Eco. These days you will find David working as art director at Signdancecollective International or collaborating on various productions as a freelance artist.