Duncan Wilkins stars in the off-West End musical comedy Better Than Sex as a gay-for-pay butler whose services, along with those of a lesbian assassin maid, are used by King James I to organise the most wicked conspiracy in the history of England.

We caught up with Duncan to find out more.

So tell us a little about Better Than Sex – what can we expect?
A grotesque farce. With songs.

So, to you, what is better than sex?
About four things.

Tell us a bit about your character, the gay-for-pay butler?
He's a sex-obsessed snake who'll do anything for advancement.

And how similar are you to him?!
Not too similar. I'm a lazy snake.

Do you have a favourite scene or line from the musical?
I really like this solemn hymn where I sing about King James throwing poodles at his problems.

What made you want to become an actor?
Childhood trauma. Probably.

What’s the worst thing to happen to you at an audition?
I'd had a big night before and I was so weirded out by a director dressed as a regency dandy that I couldn't do this scene with him. I just had to apologise and leave. Not too bad compared to some friends' stories.

Michael Stipe has described his sexuality by explaining that for every 10 people he is attracted to, 7 are guys and 3 are girls. How about you?
Probably put it at 8 to 2. It does seem to be weather-dependent with me for some reason.

Do you ever hit the gay clubs on a night out?
Heaven and G-A-Y.

"He's a sex-obsessed snake who'll do anything for advancement...I'm a lazy snake."

Finish the sentence: A good night out starts with...
Not really wanting to go.

It ends with...
A glass of water.

If we were to buy you a drink at the bar, what would you ask for?
Guinness, please.

Can you remember your first date? Where did you go, do you still keep in contact and did you kiss?!
Very well - my first proper date was with a guy called Nicholas Thompson at drama school and we went to this terrible play he wanted to see. We kissed but called it a night there.

What do you think is the secret of a good relationship?
Lies and distance.

"I was so weirded out by a director dressed as a regency dandy that I couldn't do this scene with him. I just had to apologise and leave."

So, what’s in your closet?
Nothing extraordinary.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
"Leave yourself alone".

What’s coming up for you – can we expect to see you play gay (for pay) in the future?!
I'm looking forward to the Budapest transfer of this show.

Read Our Colin Appleby Interview »
Click to read the out actor talk abut the camp, bawdy off-West End musical Better Than Sex.

Read Our Timi Charles-Fadipe Interview »
Click to read the actor talk about playing the gay, Marilyn Monroe obsessed King James I in Better Than Sex.

Better Than Sex
The Courtyard Theatre
Bowling Green Walk, 40 Pitfield Street
London, N1 6EU
www.thecourtyard.org.uk / www.betterthansexmusical.co.uk

3-29 August 2010