Kevin Bishop Reflects on 30 Years of ‘Muppet Treasure Island’: ‘We Would Just Play All Day Long’

Image: Disney/Everett Collection

Article Navigation

• Setting Sail on the Hispaniola

• Friends in Felt: Gonzo, Rizzo, and Clueless

• Legendary Co-Stars: Saunders, Connolly, and Curry

While the film played fast and loose with the source material, it remained anchored by the journey of young Jim Hawkins. To portray the wide-eyed adventurer, director Brian Henson selected 14-year-old Kevin Bishop. Surrounded by an ensemble of iconic Muppets, Bishop also shared the screen with several comedic titans—most notably Tim Curry, whose portrayal of the charismatic yet treacherous Long John Silver became a career highlight.

To celebrate the film’s enduring legacy, we spoke with Bishop about his vivid memories of life on set. From navigating the wonders of the Creature Shop to testing the legendary patience of Tim Curry, Bishop recounts his high-seas adventures in his own words.

Setting Sail on the Hispaniola

The search for Jim Hawkins was a massive undertaking, with 2,000 hopefuls vying for the role. The chosen actor needed more than just talent; they had to possess the unique ability to treat the Muppets as living, breathing scene partners.

Kevin Bishop: My journey began at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop in Camden. Walking into that building was like stepping into a fever dream—towering, crow-like Skeksis from The Dark Crystal lined the walls. I remember Brian Henson pointing to a lifelike pig in the corner and asking me to try out the animatronics. It moved with such fluid realism it was staggering; that turned out to be the titular star of Babe.

During my initial meeting with Brian and producer Martin Baker, I performed a script reading and sang “There’s Got to Be Something Better.” Unbeknownst to me, I was the very first candidate they interviewed. Years later, Brian confessed that as soon as I walked out, he told Martin, “I hope the rest are as good as him.” After sifting through thousands of other kids, they realized their first instinct was right. Brian joked that they could have saved a lot of time by just hiring the first kid they saw.

The process was grueling, involving multiple callbacks and a final screen test at Shepperton Studios. I was acting alongside Muppets I’d seen on TV, though not yet the main stars. I left convinced I’d botched my lines and lost the opportunity. But a few Sundays later, my mother came sprinting into the garden to tell me I’d landed the part. I was ecstatic.

Friends in Felt: Gonzo, Rizzo, and Clueless

Image: Disney/Everett Collection

To succeed in a Muppet production, an actor must fully immerse themselves in the illusion. The puppeteers made this seamless by staying in character even when the cameras weren’t rolling.

Kevin Bishop: The magic of working with the Muppets is that the performers never break. If a Muppet was on their hand, that Muppet was alive. Between takes, I wasn’t talking to Dave Goelz; I was talking to Gonzo. They were my genuine friends, and we were on an epic quest together. Steve Whitmire, who played Rizzo, was a comedic genius. We spent our days playing and improvising.

Image: Disney/Everett Collection

I formed a particularly strong bond with Bill Barretta, who played the dim-witted pirate goat, Clueless Morgan. We shared birthdays just a day apart. When I had a party at my family home in South London, the entire Muppet crew showed up. I even had a treasure chest cake. Bill used a thick Cockney accent to call me his “little pine cone,” a nickname we still use in our emails today. That’s the thing about the Muppets—you don’t just work with them; you become part of an enduring family.

Legendary Co-Stars: Saunders, Connolly, and Curry

Image: Disney

Beyond the puppets, Bishop was surrounded by British comedy royalty. Jennifer Saunders played the abrasive innkeeper, and Billy Connolly portrayed the rum-soaked Billy Bones. Then, there was the formidable Tim Curry.

Kevin Bishop: As a kid obsessed with comedy, finding out I’d be working with Jennifer Saunders and Billy Connolly was mind-blowing. Jennifer remains a dear friend to this day. Billy was the pinnacle of cool—he was incredibly famous but equally kind. He once gave me some life advice that I’ll never forget: “Kevin, make sure you get plenty of laughs and plenty of good sex. The rest is just noise.”

My first meeting with Tim Curry was… memorable. Brian was looking for me, and I suddenly swung into view from a doorway, hanging upside down. Tim just stared at me with an expression that clearly said, “Oh lord, I have to work with this child.”

I was a rambunctious, high-energy kid—likely very annoying to a seasoned professional. Tim was patient, but I definitely pushed his limits. I remember one day we were stuck in the ship’s crow’s nest from dawn until dusk. Tim was battling chronic jet lag for the entire shoot (or so he claimed to avoid talking to me). I spent the entire ten hours peppering him with hyperactive questions about his career and favorite films.

Image: Disney/Everett Collection

Tim was a heavy smoker back then, puffing on Marlboro Reds. Towards the end of that long day, I decided to be bold. I asked, “Be honest, Tim, you’re never going to escape those fishnets from Rocky Horror, are you?” Tim took a slow drag, exhaled, and replied with his signature dry wit: “Not as long as wankers like you keep bringing it up.”

That moment actually broke the ice. We developed a quiet, sarcastic friendship. Tim had a coded way of dealing with people he didn’t like; he would lean in and whisper “Thank you, sublime,” which was his secret signal for someone being insufferable. It was our little inside joke.

Image: Disney/Everett Collection

Years later, when Tim was performing in Spamalot in London, I went backstage to see him. There was a long queue of fans waiting. When Tim finally emerged in his dressing gown, he worked his way down the line, being perfectly polite to everyone. When he finally reached me at the very end, he didn’t skip a beat. He looked me in the eye and said, “Kevin f***ing Bishop. After all these years, you are still f***ing annoying.” It was the perfect reunion. We shared a massive hug and a long laugh. It was truly sublime.

Source: Polygon