Like so many, I grew up watching Humphrey B. Bear. My father worked for a government department, and I remember Humphrey would always make a guest appearance at their Christmas family picnic each year. As a child I was enthralled with him. And to be honest, I still am.
Over the years, Humphrey has had many friends join him for his TV shows and live appearances. Adelaide’s own Rohan Watts is in his element working alongside Humphrey. Rohan is well known across the Adelaide entertainment scene with an impressive career as a solo artist, front man for bands, his MC work, performances in plays and musical theatre…his resume is expansive and impressive.
When I sat down with Rohan recently to discuss all things Humphrey, I was interested in finding out if he has a preferred creative avenue, having worked across so many fields.
“I really appreciate every opportunity that I’ve been given, and I’ve been really lucky over my career so far to have some really great opportunities. I made a conscious decision a few years ago to openly throw myself into things and try them out. If it doesn’t work out, and I don’t like it, I can then say no to future similar projects. I found that I’ve had this really high level of personal satisfaction and I think it’s a case of success breeding success. You do something, you do well, people see you, people like you and more recommendations come along. For this current job I have with Humphrey, I was recommended by a mate of mine from high school that I played in bands with. I went in at the start of 2020 and I have loved it. I’m 41 this year and I grew up with Humphrey. I loved him so much as a kid that I had a teddy bear that looked more like Big Ted from Playschool, but I named him Humphrey. I have found that if I try to maintain the mindset of ‘do good work and good work will find you’, it just keeps evolving. I am loving the fact that working with Humphrey, nobody is mad. Everyone loves Humphrey and it makes my job so much more fun.”
Whenever Humphrey performs, he brings a smile to every face, young or old. There is something magical about him. After so many years, what is the secret to his winning formula?
“If I knew the answer to this, I would be rich. I think it’s just the character. Humphrey is some decades old now. He came out in 1965 here in Adelaide and if you look back at him on YouTube there is some great footage of him in the early days. Whilst he hasn’t exactly stayed the same in terms of his look and design, he is still, and always will be, four years old. He’s mischievous, but never unkind. He is a fun-loving bear, and that appeals to so many people, young and old. With Humphrey, kids are just captured by him because he is at their level. He never talks down to them (so to speak) and he wants to have a good time. As a performer, and as Humphrey’s friend, I have this parent role where I guide him through a show. I find myself applying those things that I’ve learnt as a parent when I’m working with Humphrey because we are dealing with kids from a whole broad spectrum of backgrounds. He just brings a smile to your face.
“There was one show in a retirement community and there was a little boy there who was non-verbal. At the start of the show, he had no idea who Humphrey was and his Mum said to me afterwards that she thought he might be a bit afraid. But as soon as this kid worked out Humphrey was like him and non-verbal and had to act stuff out, this kid followed him everywhere, to the point we had to get him off the stage. He kept rushing onto the stage because he found someone who he could connect and relate to.”
Working alongside a star that doesn’t speak must certainly bring its own challenges.
“It is challenging at times, especially because Humphrey is so mischievous. He doesn’t want to stop playing with his friends and it can be hard to keep him on track. We did a carols event in December 2021 and they were running a little overtime. The MC came on stage at the end of our spot and was trying to move us along, but Humphrey decided he was going to stay and play a bit longer. I had to march across the stage and grab him by the hand and lead him off because Humphrey just likes to have fun.
“In terms of performer awareness, whilst Humphrey is internally four years old, he also has a lot of performing experience and knows how to work a crowd. We do have rehearsals, but when there is an audience, anything can happen! I think my experience as a performer over many years really comes in handy because there really aren’t many encounters I haven’t experienced before, so when something does crop up I find it easy these days to get it back on track.”
Humphrey will be appearing as part of this year’s Adelaide Fringe with a fun show, Put On Your Dancing Shoes With Humphrey.
“Myself and Melissa McCaig have planned a show to do, but we find that Humphrey doesn’t really want things to progress the way we want. He has found a way to disrupt the show and along the way we find songs from the different decades that Humphrey has been around, So songs from the 50s, 60s, 80s and 90s. We sing and dance our way through the decades with Humphrey. We launched this show a couple of years ago at Southern Cross Care Community Homes around Adelaide and the feedback we received was brilliant. It’s a great opportunity for a wide demographic to come and see the show and all get something different from it.”
Put On Your Dancing Shoes With Humphrey will be performed at The Octagon in Gluttony, each Sat/Sun from Feb 19th – March 20th, and one Monday show on the 14th March (public Holiday) at 2pm. Tickets available through FringeTix or at https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/put-on-your-dancing-shoes-with-humphrey-af2022
Interview by Ben Stefanoff
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