1. There's always glitter, everywhere.
"The worst is finding the random bits of glitter somewhere on your face the next day - usually right after an important meeting or lunch with the in-laws!"
2. When you're a performer there's no such thing as a private moment.
3. It takes a lot of makeup to look like this.
4. A functional and fancy accessory can make all the difference.
5. Your underwear will probably be seen.
"The joy of cabaret is that you are climbing over the audience, over the bar and jumping up and down off the stage. You know your underwear will be on show, so make sure it matches your shoes or is covered in sequins! Then the audience know that you know."
6. You never know who's going to be in the audience.
7. Nails aren't worth it.
8. But big lashes are.
9. Precision is key.
10. You never know what you'll get in a live show!
11. It's true what they say about big feet.
It's hard to find a shoe that fits.
"I've size 12 feet so have to hunt high and low to find a decent stiletto that can support a 6'3 man!"
12. It's not all fun and games.
13. Wigs are drag performer's best friend.
14. "I'm not trying to be a woman!"
"People are always asking me why I don’t shave my legs! The response is that I’m not trying to be a woman - I'm 6’7 in heels, the jig's up! It’s not an old school misogyny. It's performance! It's fun! It's cabaret!"
Catch Michael on stage in his upcoming show The Libertine Has Left the Building 25-29 November 2014 as part of London's Mimetic Festival.