With the spirit of Pride still in full swing, a new book is about to shimmer its way onto shelves and into the spotlight. “The Art of Drag: A Practical Performers’ Handbook”, penned by celebrated London drag icon and seasoned performer Michael Twaits, is set for release on July 9, 2025, and promises to be a go-to guide for anyone with a passion for the power of performance.
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Best known for hosting Pride in London for over a decade and for mentoring emerging drag talent through the long-running Art of Drag course at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Michael Twaits brings twenty years of stage experience to this dynamic new title. But unlike many books that focus solely on drag aesthetics, “The Art of Drag: A Practical Performers’ Handbook” goes deeper, putting performance, presence, and purpose at centre stage.
This is not a makeup manual or fashion look-back guide. Instead, Twaits offers a bold, no-nonsense performer’s guide for drag kings, queens, queers, and those just beginning to explore the artform. From lip-sync techniques and crafting tight comedy sets to building a connection with an audience and owning the stage, the book is packed with practical advice rooted in lived experience.
Twaits doesn’t go it alone either. “The Art of Drag: A Practical Performers’ Handbook” features insightful interviews with seven standout drag artists: Adam All, Simply Barbra, Ada Campe, Hugo Grrrl (winner of House of Drag, Season 1), Me the Drag Queen, Son of a Tutu, and Le Fil (who is best known for coming 7th on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Series 4 and 8th on Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World, Season 2). Each shares their own take on what drag means to them and how they’ve turned their unique artistry into captivating live experiences.
As Twaits puts it, drag is more than transformation; it’s about communication. “The moment you step on stage, you’re holding a mirror to the world and inviting it to see something bolder, funnier, truer, or queerer than it did before,” he says. That ethos is embedded throughout the book, offering a strong message for those who view drag not just as a look, but as an act of resistance, resilience, and radical joy.
“With this book, I wanted to move beyond mascara and into the magic of what we do as performers—how we move, how we speak, how we captivate,” he continued. “How to get bookings and paid work. It’s a resource that I think performers will keep close, because it’s packed with truly invaluable advice. Drag has given me stages, stories, and more connection than I ever imagined. This book is my way of giving that back.”
Based on the principles of Twaits’ popular training course, which has supported over 200 new drag performers since 2015, this book condenses a decade of teaching into one empowering resource. Whether you’re dreaming of taking your first sequinned steps on stage or are already immersed in the world of cabaret and queer performance, “The Art of Drag: A Practical Performers’ Handbook” aims to meet performers wherever they’re in their journey.
Alongside guidance on writing new material, refining existing routines, and growing confidence onstage, the book also dives into the business side of drag, offering practical tips on getting booked, securing paid gigs, and making your artistry sustainable.
Drag has always been an art form, a cultural phenomenon, and a political statement, and in today’s climate, that truth resonates more powerfully than ever. With drag bans proposed across the US and Trans rights facing devastating rollbacks on both sides of the Atlantic, the need to uplift queer voices and support our Trans siblings is critical. The release of “The Art of Drag: A Practical Performers’ Handbook” arrives just ahead of London Trans+ Pride on July 26, 2025, arguably one of the most important years for the event since it began in 2019, following the UK Supreme Court’s controversial ruling.
In a time when our community’s rights are being chipped away, this book stands as both a celebration of queer creativity and a reminder that drag is, and always will be, a form of resistance. It speaks directly to the heart of what drag has always done. It has always challenged the status quo, offered radical joy, and held space for expression in the face of adversity. Books like this aren’t just empowering; they’re necessary documentation of our culture, our artistry, and our ongoing fight to exist, be seen, and be heard.
Michael Twaits has long been a pillar of the UK’s drag and cabaret scene, using his platform not just to entertain, but to educate and uplift. Known for dazzling audiences at his West End residency, The Saturday Supershow at the Phoenix Arts Club, his performance history spans everything from theatre stages and film sets to embassies and even trains. With “The Art of Drag: A Practical Performers’ Handbook”, he brings that wealth of experience together, offering not only a toolkit for performers but a vibrant testament to the resilience, brilliance, and evolution of drag.
“The Art of Drag: A Practical Performers’ Handbook” isn’t just a how-to, it’s a celebration of the enduring impact of queer creativity and community. You can pre-order the book on Amazon Kindle, Amazon in hardback, Amazon in paperback, Bookshop.org in hardback, Bookshop.org in paperback, Waterstones in hardback, Waterstones in paperback, as well as many other bookstores.
“The Art of Drag: A Practical Performers’ Handbook” by Michael Twaits will be published via Routledge on July 9, 2025. To coincide with the release of the book, Twaits is hosting a book launch show on July 10, 2025, at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London, from 7pm. Tickets can be bought from the venue’s official website. Maybe we’ll see you there.