As the announcer’s voice reverberates throughout the room, a passionate shout breaks out from tables covered in pride-colored tablecloths. Give it up for Oliver Twist, my brother from a different mother!
At a recent Sunday morning brunch event in Easton, Oliver Twist makes a theatrical debut by pulling back the curtains to the steady beat of Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” before walking onto the stage.
Olivia Butkiewicz of Wilkes-Barre, who performs as Oliver Twist, a non-binary drag king, is commemorating 16 years of performing in upstate New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Butkiewicz started the voyage at the age of 18, barely out of high school, and dealing with despair.
Butkiewicz, 34, said, “Drag saved me from doing the inevitable,” alluding to suicidal thoughts. They gained confidence and were able to express their passions for theater and cosmetics by creating Oliver Twist.
Butkiewicz’s passion for musicals helped him come up with the stage moniker Oliver Twist.
Drag queens have been a part of popular culture for many years, but drag kings like Oliver Twist have also taken the stage.
Drag, which originated in British theater in the early 19th century, can be performed by anyone, regardless of gender. These days, drag queens may be more well-known. They are usually men who dress like women and have ultra-feminine personas.
Contrarily, drag kings are primarily female performers who embrace male stereotypes and take on masculine identities. Butkiewicz claims that they have had fewer opportunities and less attention.
Butkiewicz endured struggles and criticism from drag performers over the years. At first, it was quite territorial.
Butkiewicz admits it was difficult to be a king in 2009. There was a lot of turmoil, but I put in a lot of work. It resembled a competition to urinate.
Less stage time and fewer bookings meant less tip money for kings than for queens.
Butkiewicz found it difficult to play at the time due to the scene’s territorial nature and offensive remarks, such as those about their weight, which compelled them to look for places outside of their immediate neighborhood.
It hasn’t been simple yet. Butkiewicz stated, “I’ve struggled with a lot of anxiety and depression, which nearly caused me to quit drag.” By going to therapy and avoiding negative individuals, they managed to get through it.
With more pageants, festivals, and even drag events with a kings theme showing up on calendars, Butkiewicz has witnessed a shift in the environment.
Drag queens have become more popular because to RuPaul’s Drag Race, and now kings are getting their turn. With ten drag kings vying for the title, Butkiewicz is especially thrilled about “King of Drag,” a brand-new reality competition show on the LGBTQ+ network Revry. Butkiewicz is excited by this kind of attention to drag kings because it encourages inclusivity and self-expression.
Butkiewicz usually performs one to six gigs every month, traveling over the Mid-Atlantic. They will be present if a king is desired.
They took part in the Swingle Family Foundation’s Drag me to Brunch fundraiser performance at the Iron Mule in Easton at the end of July.
The nonprofit foundation provides outreach services to LGBTQ+ people. At the performance, Butkiewicz was the sole king of five.
The Sunday Lehigh Valley Pride agenda will provide guests the chance to mingle with drag artists. The free event will take place at SteelStacks in Bethlehem from 2 to 8 p.m.
According to a representative for the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, which is organizing the event, “We are hosting a Drag Power Hour at Lehigh Valley Pride from 3 to 4 p.m., hosted by Electra St. James Fearce, and will have a lineup of several local drag performers on stage this year.” The website of Bradbury-Sullivan has more details.
Although Butkiewicz will not be participating at Sunday’s event, their passion for performing and their ability to periodically push the envelope with a powerful presentation guarantee that they will soon return to the Mid-Atlantic stage.
Butkiewicz says, “I like breaking that gender binary in being very fluid as a performer.” She characterizes her performances as flashy, masculine, or occasionally evoking an Elton John-esque atmosphere. I am a peacock. I am going to show off.
In addition to performing one to six shows a month, Butkiewicz works as a graphic designer at PennDOT and serves as the board chair of Queer NEPA, an LGBTQ+ organization that promotes LGBTQ+ rights in northeastern Pennsylvania through nonviolent advocacy. Its headquarters are in Lackawanna County.
Butkiewicz created her own show, Himbos and Bimbos, eleven months ago, and it was hosted at a Wilkes-Barre restaurant managed by lesbians. The event focuses on alternative and king performers.
Managing a job and performance schedule leaves little time for leisure. Creating costumes from second-hand stores takes up a large portion of it. Butkiewicz modifies the garments to create the desired costume appearance.
It’s been a toll of hard effort combined with the performances.
Butkiewicz remarks, “My knees are not what they used to be.” Drag king shows, with their amazing makeup and costumes, are equally entertaining even if you can’t execute back flips or splits.
Butkiewicz hopes Oliver Twist can improve people’s lives and speak up for those who lack a voice. They reason that as drag saved them lives, it might also be able to assist those in need.
Because of the society we live in today, especially in our neighborhood, I would much rather make someone smile than bring them down. Much more love is needed for us.
Use the video at the top of the story and the pictures below to visually track her journey.
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You may contact Saed Hindash at [email protected]. | Instagram
