Book Launch -7pm ,10th July at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London
Michael Twaits, cabaret performer, drag educator and author of The Art of Drag, has been invited to take part in TriumphOfTheNow.com‘s “Ten Words or Fewer” interview format!
Read on below!
Q: What is the title of your book?
A: The Art Of Drag: A Practical Performers’ Handbook
Q: Why did you choose this title?
A: It does exactly what it says on the tin!
Q: What’s the book about?
A: It’s guide for all drag and cabaret acts about performing and a career!
Q: Why did you write this book?
A: I’d run the course The Art Of Drag for a decade so this felt like the obvious next step!
Q: And why now?
A: I’d just left Pride In London after ten years – so I had some time!
Q: Why do you write, generally?
A: I’d never written a book before. It was a great challenge!
Q: Where/how do you write?
A: Mainly in my dining room looking into the garden with a pot of tea!
Q: Are you working on any new projects?
A: I’m focusing on performance at the moment, and promoting the book!
Q: What/who do you read?
A: Generally – holiday reads. Easy thrillers – Leanne Moriarty, Gillian Flynn, Richard Osman…
Q: Why do you read?
A: To unwind, escape the business of life, and screens! Hence the holiday reads!
Q: Where/when you do read?
A: In bed mainly. And this time of year, the garden.
Q: What are your politics/values?
A: Look beyond how something affects you!
Q: Why might someone with oppositional politics/values enjoy your book? If they wouldn’t, do you regret that?
A: I think if you know nothing about drag you’d learn a lot about its use, intension and how involved it is.
Q: Describe the ideal reader of your book.
A: Young LGBT+ people looking to explore their identity. Performers who want to improve their craft. Students. Drag Race wannabes!
Q: How do you relax?
A: Music. I have a vast vinyl collection – a record and a drink is heaven!
Q: Are we alone in the universe?
A: No!
Q: Do you listen to music?
A: As often as possible! Whilst I work, work out and relax.
Q: What differentiates us from the animals?
A: We got too clever and made life hard!
Q: Do you have a mantra? If willing, please share.
A: There’s always room to improve. It doesn’t mean you have to.
Q: What is your preferred breakfast – something you could have every day?
A: Fresh bread, croissant, apricot jam. Good tea.
Q: Do you have any pets? Why/why not?
A: Just a few fish. My son needs to clean their tank!
Q: Where is somewhere you’ve been to that you will never return to?
A: Mcdonalds.
Q: When was the last time you climbed a tree?
A: I have a seven year old. So about twenty minutes ago.
Q: How often do you swim?
A: Holidays only these days…
Q: What happened the last time you went on a first date?
A: I met my husband. He was late.
Q: What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
A: Not leaving the bar when he was late.
Q: Would you relive your life as a spectator if you could?
A: No. I think there’s drama, there’s comedy and comfort. But the pacing is all wrong.
Q: What is “cool”?
A: Being comfortable enough to not care what others think.
Q: Do you like routine or spontaneity?
A: Routine! Absolutely.
Q: What do you need to thrive?
A: Time. Space. A bit of planning. Good food.
Q: What do you need to survive?
A: Sleep. And make-up wipes!
Q: How do you nourish yourself on a psychological level?
A: Listening to music.
Q: What makes you laugh?
A: Currently, the new French & Saunders podcast.
Q: What makes you cry?
A: Good films. Good books.
Q: Do you have a favourite place? Where is it?
A: I love my home. There’s nowhere I’m happier.
Q: What don’t you eat?
A: Any seafood.
Q: How did your oldest friendship begin?
A: We were five, playing in the school hall, waiting for our mums to finish work.
Q: Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? If yes, where to?
A: I took a detour on our honeymoon to Washington to see Barbra Streisand live.
Q: Are you trained in first aid?
A: Yes!
Q: Have you ever written any songs? If yes, describe your sound.
A: A few – but they’ve all been fairly camp cabaret numbers!
Q: What’s the biggest thing you’ve personally destroyed?
A: The egos of some arrogant straight men.
Q: What are your weekend plans? Are these typical?
A: I do two shows every Saturday night at the Phoenix Arts Club!
Q: Have you ever seen a monkey in the wild? If yes, where were you?
A: Never!
Q: Describe your hairstyle.
A: Lusciously thick for someone in their early-mid-late twenties.
Q: What’s your favourite item of clothing?
A: Shorts. It just means the sun is out!
Q: If you could meet a historical figure for a chat over a beverage, who would it be?
A: Judy Garland.
Q: What is the scariest thing?
A: A cabaret show with no audience. Or even worse – loads of hen nights!
Q: How many close friends do you have?
A: About eight….?
Q: What makes a “close friend” close?
A: That when you call they don’t ask why you’ve called.
Q: Where is somewhere you could go every day?
A: My local sandwich shop in Sanderstood.
Q: How often do you buy groceries?
A: Twice a week?
Q: What’s the most popular thing that you don’t enjoy?
A: Social media.
Q: What’s one skill you wish was taught in schools that isn’t?
A: Taxes.
Q: What’s the best museum, gallery or historical monument you’ve ever visited?
A: I love MOMA in New York. And the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Q: Would you like to suggest a new question for future interviewees?
A: Are more of your books in the world signed or unsigned?
BIO:
Michael Twaits is a drag act, actor and producer based in London. He is the creator and facilitator of The Art of Drag course at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, which has run for over a decade and birthed over 200 drag acts. Michael is a prolific drag performer who has 20 years of performance experience; tiny clubs, huge Pride stages, films sets, theatres, embassies, trains and much more! He’s worked across the UK and internationally and can usually be found at his West End residency The Saturday Supershow at the legendary Phoenix Arts Club.
The Art of Drag is a course at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern as well as a monthly drag celebration show! The course has run since 2015 and seen over 200 students take to the stage in drag for the first time. All those expertise and experience have been collated into the practical performers’ handbook.
LINKS:
To purchase ‘The Art of Drag’, visit Amazon.
Learn more about Michael Twaits at his official website and Instagram page.
“Ten Words or Fewer” gives writers (novelists, poets, essayists, playwrights, screenwriters, anyone writing anything else) the opportunity to introduce themselves and their work. If interested in taking part, email triumphofthenow@gmail.com for more details.
Thank you so much for reading TriumphoftheNow.com! If you like what you’ve read, please subscribe, share and order one of my books. If you love what you’ve read, why not order me something frivolous and noisy from this Amazon wishlist or make a quick donation via my ko-fi page?
I’m currently focusing on parenting and creative practice, so small donations are appreciated now more than ever!
scott manley hadley aka SOLID BALD live
Here’s a video of me recently performing at the prestigious (it has a Wikipedia page) comedy night, Quantum Leopard. Listen to how much fun the crowd is having. You could have that much fun, too!
Forthcoming gigs include the following – there may/will be others:
18th February 2026, 7.30pm: Laughable, Wanstead Library
26th February 2026: Mirth Control, Bexhill-on-Sea
12th March 2025: BALD PERSONALITY DISORDER 30 MIN WIP at Glasgow International Comedy Festival
26th March 2026, 7.30pm: Comedy @ Cosmic, Plymouth
May 2026: BALD PERSONALITY DISORDER FULL LENGTH WIP at the BRIGHTON FRINGE
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