Of course, the man can put on a hell of a show by himself, as well.
So, what made you want to get involved withThe Jungle Book?
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Well!
Well, theres loads of reasons arent there?
Its a classic piece of childrens literature.
Its a great piece of literature, never mind whether its for kids or not.
Its just in its own right.
And, its funny, and its dramatic, and its quite serious.
And, you know, it deals with all kinds of serious issues.
Which I think probably is the one which everyone thinks of when you mentionThe Jungle Book.
Its so entrenched in our minds, that having a different take on it is very timely.
Its quite… lyrical, and quite, almost, old-fashioned script.
But, thats what really attracted me to it.
Baloo is obviously a terrifically funny character, in the film version.
Hows your Baloo different to the ones weve seen before?
Well, I think that, the first thing is were talking about just listening to the words.
One of the great things about Baloo is he was very physical.
Theres a lot of slapstick.
Physically, hes quite funny.
Theres this big rotund waddling creature, you know?
So, theres a way of trying to convey that just through sound.
And, I think, maybe its more about him as quite a warm avuncular character hes become.
Theres more of the warmer, teacher element of Baloo that comes out in this one, I think.
And, you know, because the one who speaks up for him originally.
Initially, in this script.
You know what I mean?
And hes like [deep inhale] Oh my god!
What have I done with them?
So, you know, theres that element of it!
Did you take inspiration from Phil Harris performance from the film at all?
I didnt listen to any other versions, I think you dont want to.
Subconsciously, you might get tainted with someone elses take on it.
So, I just tried to avoid all that.
Why do you thinkThe Jungle Bookis so timeless a story, why do we keep coming back to it?
I think the central idea is something thats timeless.
I take it as the rebelliousness of youth, and eventually you have to accept who you are.
And its very much about that.
Its extremely sad, a very sad scene.
Which is, sort of, could apply to any society really.
Oh yeah, its much easier when theres people there to play off.
So, it was brilliant such fun.
Theres some excellent actors involved with it, and its as a comic good being part of something.
You have to sort of modulate your own performance.
Direct it, perform it.
Its all about your own thoughts.
You go slightly bonkers with it, you know?
You go down the rabbit hole with it, really.
Whereas, with a team, with other people, its a bit more relaxing.
Its why I love doing things like this films, plays, audio books where theres other cast members.
Do you think the audio book is in for a big resurgence?
Well, bigger than it already is…
I mean, Ive been listening to them for years, I love them.
I guess it just becomes easier to access these things, I think it can only get bigger.
Um, people start listening to them on their phones and tablets.
Waiting for a plane, you just go ah, Ill get a few books and listen to them!
Theres something nice about it being read out to you.
I mean, thats the other thing.
Its a fantastic companion on a long journey.
And I hope that with an interesting narrator, it brings it to life.
Now that Simon Pegg is doing the script, have you got him on speed dial for nagging purposes?
Well, thats it, exactly!
Im just sitting around… waiting [laughs].
But yeah, thatd be great.
One of the Klingons whos just not quite as switched on as the other ones.
Maybe like a Romulan bee-keeper or something.
Just that, Id be happy with that!
Since then, youve appeared in another geeky institution,Doctor Who.
How big a moment was that for you, as a sci-fi fan?
Having grown up withDoctor Who, obviously that was a big moment.
We were sort of screened off from where we were filming.
So these rabidDoctor Whofans couldnt suddenly invade the set.
So, it was fascinating.
Essentially a space parky.
The amount of photographs people send me, its just gone a bit silly.
Its like can you sign this?
Can you sign this?
Can you sign this?
Theres been a massive spike in requests for photographs, of me in character.
And, of course, I got a lot of respect from the kids.
My son and his pals were very impressed.
And anyhow, its an institution isnt it?
I remember hiding behind the sofa when the Sea Devils came out of the sea, and the Cybermen!
I have an abiding fear of lifts thanks to the Cybermen.
Because there was a scene, where he opens the lift door and theres a Cyberman right there.
And I always think that, when the lift doors open, you know?
I always get a shiver…
Did you know that youre also in aDoctor Whobook?
I was looking up your episode, and theWhowiki also said you were mentioned in a book.
Stephen Hawking, Blur and Richard Curtis also attended…
Wow!
It sounds great, I wish I had gone.
I wish it had come real!
What else is on your slate at the moment, then, besides attending futuristic gadget launches?
Well, Ive got a tour about to come up.
Its calledLimboland, my new show.
It goes all around the UK and then we head to the West End at Christmas.
And then it just carries on, it rumbles on into the New Year.
All these people understand English, they speak perfect English, and they want to see British comedy.
Thatll take me up for the next year or so!
And are you still working on a childrens show about music?
Thats one you mentioned to us before…
Yeah!
Funnily enough, we had a meeting about that just a few days ago.
But, certainly, yes, its one that weve been keeping on, bubbling away, for ages.
A lot of the time, it’s crucial that you find the right home for ideas.
Ive got loads of ideas and you just have to keep sending them and pitching them.
But yeah, its hard sometimes, but you should probably keep plugging away.
And thats what were doing!
Bill Bailey, thank you very much!
The Jungle Book: The Mowgli Storiesis available from Audible, here.
