Simon Bamford has created many a nightmare for audiences with the character of 'The Butterball Cenobite'. For years, he has been a staple of horror with roles in both "Hellraiser " and "Hellbound:Hellraiser II", as well as "Nightbreed" to his credit. Recently, Uncle Bill had the good fortune to be able to ask Mr. Bamford some questions about his experiences in and out of the entertainment industry. Some of his answers amazed me and some made me laugh, but one thing is for certain- the man has some wonderful stories to tell.
So, what was it like to be a Cenobite, to work with Clive Barker, to undergo a grueling makeup regimen, to be a part of "Nightbreed"....read on.

(Q): How did you get involved in the entertainment industry?

(A): My earliest stage role was at junior school, the headteacher 'Harry Frost' was a keen writer and director, and wrote plays for us to perform. I was also involved in a theatre group at high school, which caught my interest. We performed many new plays which the head of drama Dominic Cummings and drama teacher Ian McPhail helped us devise. From there I applied to drama school in London and spent three years training at Mountview Theatre School in North London, which was where I was spotted by Clive Barker

(Q): Did you ever study theatre or film? If so, what are some of your earliest film and/or theatre projects?

(A): My dad made a short movie shot in Market Bosworth, which was my earliest film. Before going to drama school I was also an extra on 'Quadrophenia' although I have never managed to spot myself in the film! At drama school I played the Fool in King Lear, as well as 'Ernst Robel' in Frank Wedekinds Classic 'Spring Awakening'.

(Q): Who were some of your early influences?

(A): Before going to drama school I worked backstage at the Leicester Haymarket Theatre. The standards were exceptionally high at the time under the direction of Robin Midgeley, and gave me an idea of what could be achieved with hard work.
Clive Barker indisputably had the greatest influence on my life. Not only is he the brightest most intelligent person I have met, he also has a genuine interest in everybody he meets. Had I not met Clive my life would have taken a very different direction.

(Q): How did the role of the 'Butterball Cenobite' in "Hellraiser" come about?

(A): I had worked with Clive Barker, Oliver Parker, and the other members of the dog company on 'Paradise Street', 'The Secret life of Cartoons' and 'The secret life of cartoons'. The company was then disbanded as we all felt it was time to try an earn a living from the arts in a more commercial capacity. Several years went by and I rang Clive out of the blue to see how he was. He told me that a couple of his screenplays had been made into films, but he was unhappy with the results. Clive managed to persuade the film company to let him direct the next film 'Hellraiser'. He offered me a part their and then, and so a few weeks later I was invited to London to have a life mask taken and to see the sketches of the make ups, that was the first time I had seen the fat cenobite as he was then called.

(Q): The makeup process for your character in the film looks extensive. What do you recall about the process?

(A): Initially they took a life mask of my entire head, from this they built the butterball mask, this way when I put on the mask it was an exact fit. The average day would start at 4am being taken to London, where a skull cap would be applied to protect my hair and Vaseline put on to my eyebrows. After that black makeup was applied to my lips and around my mouth so you couldn't see me under the mask. The mask was one piece, three inches thick all over, it took three men to force it down onto my head, once in position the edges were glued in place using surgical superglue. As the character had his eyes sewn up, there were no eyes holes, so I was completely blind, also the ears were sealed over as was the nose. The only way of breathing or communicating was with my mouth, which they then stuck a set of false dentures onto my own teeth. We were stuck inside this living hell for between 8 - 12s a day, sensory deprivation, not pleasant.

(Q): What was it like working with director Clive Barker and actor Doug Bradley? Did either of them give you any tips on how to act or behave like a Cenobite?

(A): The whole process was a unique learning experience for all of us, having worked with both Clive and Doug before we had a good idea of each others shorthand. The tough thing for me though was lack of sight. Without being able to see the make up on it was very difficult to judge how the latex was responding to my facial movements. Doug helped me by telling me how the latex was reacting with my face (which was virtually not at all, the latex was just too thick). I had spoken to Clive about the character prior to filming, and then spent hours in the library finding out what a cenobite was.

What experiences(s) from the film stand out in your mind?

(A):The crew did not believe I was totally blind, so on the first few takes I walked off in completely the wrong direction. They then pointed me in the right direction to start with, but I could not see the marks, so overshot the end position. Eventually they put a sausage like doorstop on the floor and I walked forward until I could feel it with my foot. Acting by braille. I remember getting very depressed sitting for hours on end with no sensory input, and eventually broke down in frustration...no one noticed! The make up was just too thick. Clive came around one afternoon and to cheer us all up gave us some Jack Daniels which was fun, drunk inside a cenobite mask.
The first time I met the other cast and crew outside the mask was at the rap party, where I had to be introduced to them as they had no idea what I actually looked like.

(Q): -"Nightbreed" has become a sort of cult classic many years after the film was panned by critics. How do you feel about the film today, and your part in the film?

(A): After the claustrophobia of Hellraiser, Nightbreed was a breeze. The make up took minutes not hours, I could see, hear, breath, talk. I loved making Nightbreed. The monsters were breathtaking, the script was sensational and extremely moving, the other actors were a joy to work with, the crew were behind the project. Looking back today I think the film was ahead of it's time, all the real action movement of the camera which we see all the time today, was unheard of then. Also the concept of monsters being acceptable which today we see in programmes like Buffy, in the 80's was too much for some studio executives.
I would love to see a directors cut of the movie, I know Clive has said he would be open to the idea, but the studio cannot at the moment locate the whereabouts of the original film. Maybe one day? If not then perhaps a remake?
Their was a sequel planned in which I came back as my twin sister, I was very much looking forward to some prosthetic tits!

(Q): Is there any particular reason why you have never ventured into the horror genre since "Nightbreed"? Would you be adverse to starring in a horror film again?

(A): The honest answer is nobody has asked. I would love to make another horror movie. I talked to Robert Englund at a movie convention and he told me of some projects he was involved in but sadly it came to nothing. I have touched on the horror genre in Theatre, playing Seymour in the 1st UK tour of 'Little Shop of Horrors'. I have met George A Romero at several Conventions recently so maybe that will lead to some more work?

(Q): Recently, you attended a big 'Hellraiser Reunion' show at the Monster-Mania Convention in New Jersey. What was it like to be back around so many members of the "Hellraiser" and "Hellbound" cast? Do you stay in touch with any of them?

(A): We meet up several times a year at shows around the world. We all get on extremely well thankfully. It was especially great to meet up with Ashley Laurence, she is truly beautiful in all ways. We have been trying to persuade Clive to join us at a con, we were due to attend one in LA in September which we were close to getting Clive to attend, however I think it now has been cancelled. Watch this space.

(Q): How do you feel about horror fans in general, and do you have any memorable encounters with fans of the "Hellraiser" series?

(A): The fans are fantastic, and such a good laugh, I have kept in contact with many, including a group of Welsh nutters, a family (mum, dad and 2 girls) of Hellraiser fans from Birmingham, many US fans too many to mention. We have been lucky enough to be invited to shows in Germany, Holland, New Jersey, Boston, Florida and of course here in the UK.

(Q): Would you consider yourself a horror fan. If so, what are some of your favourite horror novels and/or films? Living in the UK, what do you think is the difference, if any, between UK and US horror fans?

(A): My first experience of Horror was with fangoria magazine which I saw when I was about 13 and I still enjoy today. I love anything by Clive, also I am a big Steve King reader as well as Koontz. In my experience their is very little difference between fans in Europe and the US, they are all fun to be around.

(Q): What scares you in real life?

(A): Heights, Global Warming, Obesity

(Q): Please tell us about your website, as I am sure the fans would love to know how they can learn more about you and your work.

(A): The site is at WWW.SIMONBAMFORD.COM we have information about me and my career as well as an online shop where you can find personalised Hellraiser and Nightbreed pictures. It's worth a visit.

(Q): What lies ahead in your immediate future?

(A): This year I have launched my own company which creates theatrical projects that deal with important and urgent issues. We are currently touring with a healthy eating show and are in pre production for a Global Warming performance. I am also still acting freelance, and have just finished filming a recycling TV commercial as well as playing an FBI agent in a new film for the discovery channel.

Once again, I thank Simon for his time and unique stories, and I encourage everyone to check out his site. I expect we will all hear great things from him in the future... Uncle Bill