Interview with Mark Williams for We're Going on a Bear Hunt

16 November 2016

What was it like working with the We’re Going On A Bear Hunt team?

This team have been great; It’s such a lovely project. What’s really great is that Michael Rosen is in it and also [original book illustrator] Helen Oxenbury is very much involved. It’s so reassuring that what we’re doing is validated by the originators and it hasn’t been stolen from them! So that’s wonderful and it means that this film has a lovely, loveable atmosphere to it. I’ve just heard some of the kids’ voice work too which sounds fantastic. So I’m very excited. I read the script on the train yesterday for the second time and I started to cry. I said to my wife; “Do you want to read it?” and she said “No, I want to wait till it comes out.” So over Christmas we’ll definitely be watching this live!

Tell us about your character.

He’s a loving Dad, and being a Dad is the best job in the world. Dad is with Mum and they have five children including a baby, plus Rufus the dog. I think it’s a bit of a confused household, he can’t find his keys et cetera – I think that’s mostly his problem. I think there is a case for saying there is something called Dad-Head which is when your family lives in your head like a swarm of bees. Mums are much better at just swatting the bees away but dads sometimes get a bit overwhelmed. He’s one of those dads. Technically in the plot of the film, what Dad does is leave the house, so that the kids are left alone and can go on the famous bear hunt. So it’s a very simple role - get rid of Dad who, with Mum, drives off to fetch Grandma, who’s stuck down the road because her car’s broken down. Then the bear hunt begins!

What do you find appealing about the story?

What’s great about it, of course, is that they find a bear! When you’re little, it’s so unsatisfying when your fantasies don’t actually come true; When you don’t actually fly, for example. So they’re in the book and they go on a bear hunt and they find a bear. That’s great! It doesn’t get any better than that.

What is it like doing a voice over compared to live-action acting? Is there anything tough about it?

To be honest, it’s no different. I spend a lot of time doing voice work and you’re still very much in character. You use the same parts of your brain, the same emotions. I always find the most difficult lines are when you have to make noises and you always feel such an idiot. Well, I do! I’m asked: “Can you just, sort of, laugh a bit?” and you go: “Huh-huh-huh”. That’s when you become self-conscious… Everyone gets a bit self-conscious, otherwise you wouldn’t be human would you?

Did you know the book already?

I was always a big fan of Michael Rosen, especially his verse, which I don’t think gets the praise it deserves. It always makes me laugh. I do know We’re Going on Bear Hunt very well - who doesn’t, who can read? I imagine it’s responsible for teaching a lot children to enjoy reading because of the repetition. Who doesn’t want to shout “swishy swashy”? Also, my mum is an artist and has always been a big fan of British children’s book illustrators and I am a fan too. I love Edward Ardizzone [1900 –1979] and Helen Oxenbury because her pictures almost animate themselves, there’s always something going on. You’re always invited in to them; Kids come over and get involved, saying things like: “Look what the dog’s doing!”

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt will be on this Christmas. How will you be spending it this year?

It’s very exciting being in a show going out at Christmas. We have a traditional Christmas; Log fires and holly, presents and jollification. We haven’t watched the Queen for bit and for that I’ll go down and one knee and apologise but 3 o’clock tends to be when we’re eating nowadays. I’m not sure if we’re going to have turkey this year – I’ve just about had it with turkey, thanks very much. Cheers for everything turkey, but no more! We give lots of presents, do lots of game playing. We also warm up by the fire. I’ve actually got two wood burners; Fire is big part of Christmas. I’ve got a friend, Richard who’s a farmer, and he starts choosing his logs in the late autumn, it’s that important. I’d like it to be a bit colder though please, if it could be arranged this Christmas? I’m getting a bit bored of these dull Christmas days where is grey and wet. Snow please.  

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt airs on Channel 4 this Christmas.