Two maids in service to a Madame pass the moments of their day play acting. As the line between fantasy and reality begins to disintegrate, their games take a deadly turn.

In this new interpretation the setting has been transposed to India and it’ll be performed by male and female actors on alternate nights, allowing us to see how different genders play with the roles and how far they are willing to stretch the imaginary world.

“Men seem to searching for their new identity,” director Samir Bhamra told us. "We’ve seen ‘the sensitive man’, ‘the metro-sexual’ and it is becoming more acceptable to be aware and present their feminine side.”

We caught up with Jeremy to find put more about the play, sexual undertones and forbidden fruit.

Tell us a little about the play. What's it about?
The piece revolves around two 'sisters', Claire and Solange. In our version their uncle has taken the throne and as a result they have been force feminised and live under the watchful eye of a Hijra, their Madame. They feel trapped in their situation and use role play to escape the reality of the situation, however the role play revolves around the murder of their Madame, but how carried away will they get?

What do you think are the main themes of the play?
The play is about power struggles; all the characters have an element of control and they use that control of other people in different ways. Solange, who I play, is quietly controlling - she pulls the strings yet no one is aware how in control she is. Claire, is a dominant submissive, she allows herself to be victimised but controls how far others will push her. Madame simply has power due to her position, but how powerful is position in reality?

"I can be extremely nosey without people even realising - though they will now!"

Why the all-male version of the play?
Genet originally designed the piece to be played by men. You would have to speak to Samir Bhamra, our director, for his reasons behind the male production. However, I believe he undertook the challenge of an all male cast alongside an all female cast, in order to see how the different sexes react to the piece. We have had a lot of freedom to input our own ideas and spin on things, which has resulted in two very different pieces.

What do you think a male cast will bring to the work?
I think language changes when spoken by a man or a woman, the meaning can be altered and as a result perhaps our piece is slightly darker than the girls.

So what will you be doing on your nights off?!
Various things no doubt - catching up with friends, either food, coffee, theatre or a film would be a good guess!

Tell me a little about your character.
Solange is the older of the two sisters, she is always forced to play the maid in their role plays and is willing, if slightly reluctant, to take this role. Claire is far more flavour of the day with Madame than Solange, but Solange is happy to take a back seat and does not have illusions of grandeur in the same way as Claire. However, it is really Solange who is the driving force in the role play and the more vindictive sister.

So how similar are you to him?
Well, I would like to think that I am not that similar really. In many ways, in real life, I am probably more similar to Claire with her playfulness. I would say if there were a similarity it would be humbleness, I do not aspire to riches nor does Solange. Or it would be the skill of observation, I can be extremely nosey without people even realising - though they will now!

The traditional version is often played with strong lesbian undertones. Will you be playing up the homoerotic appeal?
The piece definitely has strong sexual undertones and I think it would be very hard to avoid those elements. Samir was very keen for Robby and I to be comfortable with each other in order that we fully explore the roles. The aim was not to incorporate homoeroticism, but rather do the piece justice. I think what has resulted is a strong theatrical piece which as a result of the sisters being played by men, could certainly hold homoerotic appeal.

There are some great publicity images. Do you find sexy photo shoots where you're not wearing very much easy or embarrassing?
I find it all very cringe worthy and don't really see them as sexy! I am possibly the least sexy person you would meet, so I just go along, play a role and hope the images are what the production company want!

"The aim was not to incorporate homoeroticism, but rather do the piece justice. I think what has resulted is a strong theatrical piece which as a result of the sisters being played by men, could certainly hold homoerotic appeal."

So what's been the most ridiculous thing you've been asked to do to promote something?
Well, I don't know if it’s ridiculous but at the time it was rather embarrassing - when I was Wishy Washy in pantomime I had to do a trolley dash in costume. Given that my costume was pink overalls, mismatching long coloured socks and random shoes, oh and I almost forgot, a massive massive Chuppa Chop (and I mean MASSIVE), then that was fairly cringe worthy!

If you had to pick someone, who would you want to be your master?
Oh goodness, I really have no idea! I suppose, if I had to wait on someone hand and foot then I would hope that they were kind and considerate, but also deserving of my attention. But who exactly, I could honestly not say!

And who would you want to wait on you?
I don't think I'd be any good at that. My Mum saw to it that we all helped out from a young age and I'd hate to have someone serve me.

What would you make them do?!
If I really had to have someone doing something for me then I'd get them to do my laundry as I always forget to do it until I run out of clothes!

There's often been a sinister sexual undertone to the servant master relationship – I'm particularly thinking of The Servant –why do you think this is?
I think it is to do with the power battle that is witnessed within the piece, but possibly also to do with forbidden fruit. Perhaps, having what you can't have is a big temptation.

So which comes first for you: sex or love?
Love, sorry I'm a bit of traditionalist.

"Having what you can't have is a big temptation."

Do you believe in monogamy?
Completely, I think there are people for whom monogamy is not an option but for me that's the only one. Fair enough, if you aren't in a relationship there is no harm seeing what the choices are, but when you find someone worthwhile, why risk it by still looking?

Is it better to give or receive?
Are we still talking love here? Surely it should be equal, it is an amazing feeling to love someone but that feeling is magnified when the love is returned.

What's in your bedside table?
I actually have a black table beside my bed, which was taken from the set of Counterfeit Skin. On it I have a lamp called Fiona - don't ask - a couple of candles, some photographs and normally the book I am reading or CD I’m listening to.

What is your most diva-like demand?
I hope I’m not too divaish but as long as they provide me gelatine free jelly beans with all the orange ones removed there will be no problem!

What are you guilty pleasures?
I can't resist bargain CDs. In Greenwich there is an amazing little record shop that has a £1 bargain basement - that might sound crazy but it is my favourite place at the moment. I find myself buying things to save them the shame of being on that shelf. I have bought several copies of Beth Rowley's album which I am now giving out as presents as I couldn't stand her being there!

Last time we spoke you were working with Rikki Beadle Blair on a new play. Any news you can share with us?
Well, perhaps I should not have spoken so soon. Rikki and I were working on a piece called Three Kisses? which was to be staged as part of his Louder Than Words festival, however I have pulled out of this due to work commitments, but we should be back on track soon.

Read Our Counterfeit Skin Interview With Jeremy Williams »
Click to find out what the actor thinks about nudity, sex, love, monogamy and Counterfeit Skin.

The Maids, by Jean Genet in a new translation by Neil Bartlett, tours the UK from 20 February–9 May 2009. The show will be performed by male and female actors on alternate nights.

25 February-7 March: Watermans, Brentford, www.watermans.org.uk  
8 March: Harrow Arts Centre, Harrow, www.harrowarts.com
10 March: Byre Theatre, Fife, www.byretheatre.com
17 March: Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, www.arenatheatre.info
19 March: Stahl Theatre, Oundle, www.oundleschool.org.uk
26-26 March: Rich Mix, London, www.richmix.org.uk
31 March: Wilde Theatre, Bracknell, www.southhillpark.org.uk
9 May: Canolfan Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead, www.ucheldre.org

For full listings visit www.phizzical.com