This Christmas, Channel 4 are
going to air a special animated adaptation of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt! And it has just been announced that acclaimed
British singer-songwriter George Ezra has written and recorded the theme song.
The 23-year-old, whose debut album Wanted
On Voyage was one of the UK’s best-selling of 2014, has penned a
distinctive, sweet song called Me & You for the film’s soundtrack. Me &
You marks the first time that George has composed a bespoke song for film or
television.
Speaking at Abbey Road Studios, where the film’s score
was recorded, George Ezra said: “Growing up this story was one of my absolute
favourites and my mum read it to all of us for many years. In fact she still
reads it to her class at school. But this animation is so much more than just a
Bear Hunt and I cannot wait for everybody to see it this Christmas. Ho Ho Ho.”
The original score for We’re Going On A Bear Hunt is composed and conducted by the
multi-award-winning Stuart Hancock (Atlantis,
Crazyhead) and was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with City of London
Sinfonia. The 53-piece ensemble was joined by 50 young singers from the London
Youth Choir.
Stuart Hancock, composer, said: “It’s been a real thrill
to create the music score for We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, and I’ve loved
helping tell its story and capture all the new emotions that the animators have
brought to it. Recording with City of
London Sinfonia and London Youth Choir has been a blast and I can’t wait for
the world to see this at Christmas!”
This Christmas, Channel 4’s half hour film will expand
the universe of the much-loved book for a truly festive family treat. Olivia
Colman (Broadchurch, The Night Manager),
Pam Ferris (Matilda, Call the Midwife)
and Mark Williams (Harry Potter, Father
Brown) will breathe life into the brand new characters of Mum, Grandma and
Dad respectively. Michael Rosen, who wrote the best-selling book, will play the
Bear.
 |
| ©Lupus Films/Walker Books 2015 |
Coming up against a host of obstacles the family ventures
through whirling snowstorms, thick oozing mud and dark forests on their
ambitious quest. But when Rosie and Rufus become detached from the rest of the
party it looks like bear-hunting might not be such fun after all...
Made with exquisite, hand-drawn animation, the film is
set to enchant a whole new audience with its story of perseverance, optimism
and a love of nature.
The official We’re
Going On A Bear Hunt soundtrack featuring George Ezra’s Me & You will
be available from Friday, 23rd December .
