Helena Bonham Carter exclusive
from www.mirror.co.uk (January 24, 2008):
by John Hiscock
THE GORE OF SWEENEY TODD WAS THE LAST THING THAT HELENA BONHAM CARTER NEEDED WHILE PREGNANT.
Things have been a bit busy lately in the Bonham Carter household. Helena has been celebrating the release of her new film, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, which has garnered rave reviews, picked up two Golden Globes and earned Johnny Depp a Best Actor Oscar nod.
All this comes shortly after the actress gave birth to an as-yet unnamed daughter on December 15, her second child with her partner and Sweeney Todd director Tim Burton. Being pregnant during filming caused a few continuity problems and Helena reckons cinemagoers will be able to spot them, thanks to the fluctuating size of her boobs.
“The film was shot out of order, so sometimes I’ve got my normal little tangerines and other times I’m much bigger,” she smiles. “The costume designer knew instantly what was happening because it was unmistakable.”
In the classic slasher-horror-musical, Helena plays Mrs Lovett, who makes meat pies out the victims of the Demon Barber, played by Depp.
Meeting for a chat in a London hotel, Helena, 41, joked that the gory movie might have had an effect on her baby. “I expected it to come out with a little razor in its hand, or with its hands over its ears,” she laughs. “But there were happy hormones around even though I was working long hours.
“I’m convinced that whatever state you’re in during your pregnancy has a huge influence on the baby’s personality – so I hope we haven’t produced a little serial killer!”
Because she and Burton – whose films include Batman, The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory – are off-screen partners, Helena had to work twice as hard to convince people she was worthy of the role.
“I had to audition like everyone else,” she says. “I knew the score so I sang several songs – until Tim told me to shut up.”
To her relief, Burton gave her the nod, as did the show’s composer, Stephen Sondheim. Then Helena had to spend three months with a singing teacher to learn to sing properly.
“We realised it would have been pretty hideous if Tim hadn’t wanted me,” she admits. “We knew some people would think he had cast his girlfriend because it was an easy choice, but it was just the opposite because it was a potential disaster.
“I knew I had to be right on the money because it would be awful for me to be in the film and not be up to scratch. I’d never really sung before so it was quite a tall order to learn how to sing in three months.”
Filming was also tough for Helena in her delicate physical condition.
“There were lots of human body parts and blood around,” she grimaces. “By then, I was suffering from morning sickness, so all that combined left me wanting to sit down most of the time.”
In addition, Burton was sometimes a tough taskmaster.
“It was quite hard and we had certain stresses working together,” Helena admits. “I think I talk too much for his liking, but he should have given me more compliments.”
The pair have had an unconventional relationship in the six years since they met on the set of Planet Of The Apes, living in separate but adjoining houses in North London.
Whenever Helena wanted to play with their four-year-old son Billy-Ray, she popped next door to Burton’s house. And when Tim, 49, fancied a cup of tea or a bite to eat, he’d pop round to use Helena’s kitchen. Now, they’ve simplified things by unifying the properties.
“We couldn’t keep on going in and out of each other’s houses,” says Helena, “so now it’s just one strange house which has no co-ordination. My part is very tasteful and girlie, while Tim’s is quite eclectic because he’s got a more modern taste.”
But now Helena thoughts are turning back to work and next on her schedule is reprising her role as the conniving, evil Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince.
“It’s going to be interesting,” laughs Helena, “because I don’t think I’m going to feel up to getting on a broomstick and lactating at the same time.”
Helena is really funny and beautiful
!
Great ending of an already hilarious day I had today