All Engines Go Wiki:Exclusives/Bruce Dow Interview

**Wiki Admin, JacobHayes1, has been in contact with US/CAN voice actor, Bruce Dow, via email for another new exclusive interview here on the Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go Wikia!**

**1. So, to start off, before you joined the All Engines Go voice cast, did you ever have any prior experience with the Railway Series books or the original Thomas & Friends television series?**

I was a grown-up when I became aware of the original series — the old live-action version — and even as an adult, I fell in love with it! Each episode seemed to center on one clear, important idea or concept which was presented in a such a kind-hearted and compassionate manner. I’m really that glad our version has kept that concept as a core — even though we now move much faster and there is more action and adventure! I didn’t know about the books! I’ll have to look into them as I now have a new niece and am soon to have a little nephew!

**2. Next, it says on your website that you previously did work for various Broadway shows. What was it like to perform in these kinds of shows?**

I’ve been very lucky. I’ve appeared on Broadway 5 times in 5 featured roles — some new shows and some revivals. Some long runs, some short ones. People who work in live theatre are so loving and generous and I’ve been very blessed to work with some of the best! It’s a lot of pressure to put up a Broadway show, and it’s hard to do because the theatres are so old! There’s a lot of glamour out front, but backstage it can be cramped and dirty and… a bit dangerous with all the people and scenery moving around. But that’s the fun of live theatre!

**3. Without giving away too many spoilers, would you like to see an episode with Sir Topham Hatt as the lead in the future?**

Again, I feel so lucky! The producers of our show have been so supportive of the character of Sir Topham Hatt and they seem very concerned about the relationship between Sir Topham and Thomas. There is a mentorship, friendship, and a bit of a teacher-student relationship that seems to go both ways: sometimes Sir Topham is the teacher, and often Thomas is the teacher! I’ve notice Sir Topham Hatt showing up a little bit more, here and there. Sure I’d love a lead, but I also love the way we are exploring this important relationship — so it’s kinda not about me or Sir Topham, it’s about Thomas and his journey!

**4. Now for some questions from some users from the All Engines Go Wikia. My good friend Fowler asks: What would you say is your favorite character, episode, and song from All Engines Go?**

Hey Fowler, I feel bad coming in with the same ole “I couldn’t pick a favorite” but I really couldn’t. I’m just loving each episode for each little twist and turn that comes along. I love the episodes where Sir Topham’s ego gets a bit big and some reality brings him down to size again, usually with the help of Thomas and his friends.

**5. This question is from user Pasteloku Ishikawa: Did you ever audition for any other characters besides Harold and Sir Topham Hatt?**

Great question, Pasteloku! I have auditioned for other characters in the Thomas world. It’s fun when we can do a pop-up cameo appearance as another character within our series! Plus, I’ve done a lot of cartoon voicing on other series — but we’ll leave that a mystery! I’m here to talk about Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt!

**6. Here’s a question from my friend Jerome: Director Campbell Bryer originally said that Sir Topham Hatt wouldn't have a British accent, so Jerome would like to know why you decided to give him that accent again.**

If I remember correctly, in the original series, Sir Topham Hatt had a very thick, "north country,” or “midlands,” accent/dialect. It was beautiful, but sometimes very hard for non-UK ears to understand. As the series was looking to serve a more international market, I’m sure Campbell wanted to have a sound for Sir Topham that would more easily reach out to the show’s new intended audience. Also, every since Dick van Dyke in the movie Mary Poppins, which was the case of a North American actor doing a dreadful British accent (not his fault - did no one help him?!), we are very wary in Canada and the USA of doing bad British dialects. So, not to speak for Campbell, but, as I understand it: we couldn’t have a thick British accent and we couldn’t have a bad British accent. I think I just came in being able to do a strong, standard, what is called “Received Pronunciation” British accent — and I could soften it for international audiences to better understand it. So… not to blow my own horn, but… win win! Sometimes when we are recording, our team will ask me to either give more accent or less — so everyone can understand and enjoy All Engines Go.

**7. Here’s a question from user SmittyG513: When it comes to the pilot-like additions to Harold’s speech (when he says stuff like “copy”, “over”, and other things of the sort), was that a decision you wanted to do, or was that from someone else in the company?**

Hey SmittyG513, all the pilot additions in Harold’s speech comes from our writers. Very rarely, as we record, our director will have me throw in an extra one, or a different one than is in the script — but it’s all there to begin with. It makes it super easy for me, because, like Sir Topham Hatt, Harold has his own way of speaking — so I just jump right in. The two are such different characters - it’s fun to jump back and forth!

**8. Next up is a question from user Arthur Read fan: How does it feel to be the voice of the Island of Sodor's railway controller?**

That Arthur - you know, I kinda forget I am “the voice of the Island of Sodor’s railway controller” and really think of him in terms of his relationship to Thomas, Kana and the gang. Sir Topham Hatt has authority, and he’s always trying to get things done and done well — but it’s really about him challenging and supporting Thomas and the other engines. Ooh! Being the only railway controller sounds like such pressure! And yet there’s still lot of pressure to take care of the people of Sodor and to support Thomas, et al.

**9. This question is from my friend Colackent: What was your motivation for auditioning for All Engines Go?**

Initially, to be honest, it was the middle of the pandemic, and I needed a job. Working as an actor is tough and there was no work at all when the pandemic hit. My life was pretty hard. What excited me about auditioning for Thomas, once I’d seen the script, was that this was going to be a new and exciting version of a classic story — and that they still wanted to keep the core of kind-heartedness and compassion. So, it was a great job to get a shot at, when I desperately needed a job, and it was a good and well-intentioned project! Couldn’t ask for more and I’m so lucky they chose me to wear the Sir Topham Hatt hat!

**10. This question comes from user Percyofficially: What got you into voice acting in the first place?**

I didn’t even know voice acting was a thing! I was trained like most actors in contemporary and classical acting for film ,TV and theatre. But, as a child, I had loved cartoons and animation of all kinds! Then I took this workshop and I discovered how magical it can be to create a whole, physical world simply with your voice! Our technician, Jeremy, our director Dee and I have the best time recording all the laughs and falls and tumbles that happen to Sir Topham Hatt — because it’s all just us playing with sounds and our imaginations! Just FYI - every time we record a funny vocal sound it is put into the character’s “voice library.” Which means if, when they are editing they need a “whoop” or a “holler” then can just dig and find one. Talking with our director the other day, I expressed thinking I’d love nothing more than to play that whole voice library for Sir Topham Hatt at my funeral! Stay with me - what a more joyous send of could anyone have than to have all these ridiculous sounds played back-to-back — reflecting all the joy we had in creating them! It’s all about sharing that joy! I really am so lucky to do what I do!

**11. Next up, user Tomatron the One asks: Do you take inspiration from previous versions of the characters you voice, or do you try to do your own thing?**

At first, I tried to copy the “north country” accent I had heard in the old series. It’s a dialect I do well and at first I was surprised when the directors said they didn’t want that and weren’t sure they wanted to go with any dialect. Together (the best way to work! Can you tell I love these people and this job?), we landed on the mid-atlantic/slightly Received Pronunciation sound for Sir Topham — so — the creation of the voice was a team effort, but now he’s all mine! Haha!

**12. And now for our final question, what would you say is the best part about being part of the All Engines Go voice cast?**

The best thing about being a part of the All Engines Go voice cast is… beyond the simple joy of coming into the studio and seeing Jeremey and hearing the team on the link (I’m usually in the studio alone, just FYI. Rarely do we record in groups)… is getting the feedback from the people who watch the show. Knowing that the kind-heartedness of our work is affecting you guys — that you have an interest in what we do and an investment in the integrity of our work. I like doing good work. I like being held accountable for what I do, too. And when you love what we do, then I know my loving what I do is just the cherry on the sundae!

**Note from JacobHayes1: I want to give a massive thank you to Bruce Dow for taking his time for being part of this interview. It's so brilliant to see all the answers that he gave to our questions, and we at the All Engines Go Wikia staff very much appreciate his contribution.**

*Note: All opinions expressed in interviews belong solely to the crew or cast member interviewed, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of All Engines Go or Mattel Television.*