The TrapDoor was a clay animation (like Wallace and Grommit or Morph), created in 1984 that ran for around 40 five-minute episodes. The TrapDoor was created by Terry Brain and Charlie Mills and all the voices were Willie Rushton’s. The duo also went on to create Stopp-It and Tidy-Up which is soon to be featured on this site. This is one of my favourite short-length cartoons, it was based on a great idea and looks really stylish, even now 20 years later.
The cartoon stars Berk, the blue shaped creature that server The Thing! As well as serving the Thing Berk also has to contend with the various monsters that come out from the TrapDoor, which he carelessly leaves open with some regularity. Berk’s friends include Boni the talking skull and Drutt the talking spider! There was also a computer game released in 1984 of the same name, but I had a ZX Spectrum and could never get the tape to load - so I’ve no idea what it was like!
Berk
Berk is the Servant of the Thing! We never actually see the Thing, we just hear his voice shouting to Berk. Berk's main role seems to be to prepare food for the Thing. Unfortunately for Berk his kitchen is where the castle's TrapDoor is based. An average episode involves Berk deliberately or accidentally opening the TrapDoor, something nasty or nice will appear and Berk will then need to resolve whatever problem this creature poses! Although the concept is simple the cartoons are really enjoyable to watch!
The TrapDoor!
This is basically the cause of all of Berk's problems. Although some nice, weird and friendly creatures do live under the Castle in the Caverns, more often that not something 'orrible appears!
One of the exceptions to this is Rogg, a monster that appears early on in the series and becomes a friend of Berk's, then returns in later story lines.
Boni
Boni is probably Berk's best friend. For a start unlike Drutt he can talk! Boni is quite posh sounding and possibly more intelligent than Berk, although he mainly spends most episodes be-moaning his lot in life, which to be fair you can't really blame him for this as he is a dis-embodied head living in an alcove of a run-down kitchen/cellar!
Drutt
Drutt is a strange spider thing that seems to be a bit like Berk's pet. Drutt often runs around chasing spiders etc. that come out of the TrapDoor. Drutt can't speak but makes strange noises that Berk seems to interpret.
In season two Drutt (who is referred to always as a he) gives birth to four babies!
Trap Door: The Lyrics
Somewhere in the dark and nasty regions - where nobody goes, stands an ancient castle.
Deep within this dank and uninviting place, lives Berk
"Hello!" (Berk)
The overworked servant of the thing, upstairs
"Berk! Feed me!" (The Thing)
But that's nothing compared to the horrors that lurk, beneath the trapdoor. For there is always something down there, in the dark, waiting to come out...
Don't you open that trap door!
Your a fool if you dare,
Stay away from that trap door!
Cos' there's somethin' down there.
TrapDoor Theme Tune 
