Laura Davis meets Jeffery Kissoon, who will play Antony to Kim Cattrall’s Cleopatra at the Liverpool Playhouse

“WHAT more of a prize can you get,” exclaims Jeffery Kissoon, the man who will be the envy of every hot-blooded male when he gets to kiss Kim Cattrall later this year.

When the Sex and the City star makes her Liverpool stage debut this autumn, he will play Antony to her Cleopatra in Shakespeare’s epic tragedy.

The 57-year-old actor has met her only once, at a lunch with director Janet Suzman, where they “had a great time”.

“Everything seemed fine and now it’s about how we get to know each other, and the bubbles of excitement have started in my stomach,” he says.

“I’m avoiding thinking about it because if you were to do that for three or four months it would be too much of an adrenaline rush.”

Kissoon has watched the occasional SATC episode – “those women are beautiful” – and plans to see the new movie.

But, standing in the roof garden of his London home, he has more on his mind than the joys of clasping Kim to his chest in a romantic clinch.

“I suppose I have to say it’s another league,” he admits.

“It’s that celebrity thing which I don’t really understand and I’m not crazy about. It frightens me, I’m not used to it.

“There will be a certain amount of exposure which I think automatically is going to come my way.

“I like running away. I like keeping myself private. I like to walk down the road and feel as if I’m still me.”

Kissoon has not avoided the public eye altogether.