Vincent Dowd

Arts journalist for BBC World Service radio and other things too.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

By a mile #Babies is the best drama on @BBC or anywhere else on TV. #StefanGolaszewski has created that rare, rare thing - a convincing contemporary story where you care about what happens to the central characters. Memorable performances by #SiobhanCullen and #PaapaEssiedu

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

What a terrific thing #OurTown is at #RoseTheatreKingston. Directed with beautiful simplicity by #FrancescaGoodridge it's as moving a version of this great American classic by @ThorntonNWilder as you'll find. Terrific Welsh cast - hats off especially to #PeterDevlin as George.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

The new @ZooNationUK hiphop #EbonyScrooge is great fun @Sadlers_Wells East. Something new made of Dickens' classic Christmas tale. In the lead #leahhill_dancer has real emotion as well as superb energy. The young audience's excitement hit levels to outdo Paddington across town.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL has its gala opening today @SavoyTheatreLdn It is superb in every way. Here's my @bbcworldservice piece, on air today. Comments from director @LukeJ_Sheppard and playwright @jswale Click link below and go around 13'30" in.
https://t.co/3iRauMvlAC

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

In a so-so year for plays on the London stage #Reunion by #MarkORowe @KilnTheatre is a real bright spot. Seen last year @GalwayIntArts the play shows all the comedy and the deep sadness of a family falling apart. Terrific Irish cast.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Almost every worthwhile revival of a classic musical in London in recent years started @OpenAirTheatre - now there's another in #Brigadoon. Lerner & Loewe hadn't hit their peak but @DrewMcOnie and #RonaMunro leave the fantasy but fillet out the schmaltz. Excellent cast.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

What a unique career #TomLehrer had. He has died at 97. Classic songs such as The MasochismTango, Poisoning Pigeons in the Park and We Will All Go Together When We Go won't be forgotten. One of the sharpest and most subversive wits America has produced.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Sorry to hear of the death of @ITN journalist @Sandy_Gall at 97. I produced Sandy for just one film visiting his beloved Afganistan for @5_News He was hugely energetic and impressive interviewing @KarzaiH His work with Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal helped countless people.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Take a listen to my @bbcworldservice radio interview
with #PeteTownshend as the new ballet version of #Quodrophenia opens @Sadlers_Wells Great dancing from @ParisAlexFitz and others - excellent set and costumes.
Click link and go 17'45" in.
https://t.co/esCrsmaAfi

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Here's my @bbcworldservice radio piece on the #UKAidsMemorialQuilt showing until Monday @Tate Modern. Many of the images recalling early Aids victims are simple, some more sophisticated. But all hugely worth seeing. Click link and go 49 minutes in.
https://t.co/olqxIEEmfu

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Sir Matt Bourne's #TheMidnightBell back @Sadlers_Wells In an era when playwrights take fright at emotion and warmth on stage his audacity and craft as impressive as ever. Lovely performances from @_andymonaghan @ashleyshaw_1 + the others. Each song and recording perfectly chosen.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Listen to my @bbcworldservice package about the enjoyable play #MarieandRosetta now @Rosetheatre in London before a short tour. Terrific singing evokes the life of #RosettaTharpe Comments from @Beverleyknight
Click link - go 38 minutes in:
https://t.co/HK3mG43EVz

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Here's my @bbcworldservice radio package about the play #Giant - just moved to the West End after its run @royalcourt I talk to playwright #MarkRosenblatt and also to @michaelcoren Was Roald Dahl an out-and-out racist? Click link and go 34'25" in:
https://t.co/uKmyoGzetn

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Here's my @bbcworldservice radio package on new @AndrewAhnFilms version of #TheWeddingBanquet It was the opening film this week @BFIFlare I spoke to him and to star @joanchenchong

Go about 17'45" in:
https://t.co/tSUXfuZSd4

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

People @TfL came up with a smart idea to tackle the problem of #ghostimages behind benches on #elizabethline platforms caused by we grubby humans. Full marks.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Here's my @bbcworldservice package about the unusual new documentary #SoundtracktoaCoupdEtat which is up for an Academy Award as Best Documentary Feature on Sunday. #Oscars2025
Click and go about 18 minutes in.
https://t.co/2QgCarAMIb

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Worth listening to my @bbcworldservice piece on excellent and disturbing documentary #Incident I talk to director #BillMorrison and co-producer @jamiekalven Nominated as Best Documentary Short at #Oscars2025
Click link and go roughly 11 minutes in:
https://t.co/sAlNr5kudR

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

UK release schedules dictate most cinema audiences won't see #ImStillHere until later this month. But the film - directed by #WalterSalles - is the most powerful of the movies nominated as Best Picture at #Oscars2025
At its core is the power of family.

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Here's my @bbcworldservice radio piece on excellent new play @royalcourt theatre in London #AGoodHouse by South African writer #AmyJephta A thoughtfully comic look at race in her country - it deserves to travel. Click and go about 48'30" in.
https://t.co/lW6onMqUXM

[Vincent Dowd @dowdv]

Here's a rarity. Two excellent new plays opening the same week at two important London venues. @TheRSC production KYOTO clearly delighted audiences @sohoplacelondon as did A GOOD HOUSE by #AmyJephta @royalcourt Shockingly neither is a musical. Both worth seeing however.