BWW Reviews: ADELAIDE FESTIVAL 2014: THIS FILTHY WORLD VOL.2 Tackles the Seamy Side of Life

Reviewed by Blake Parham, Thursday 6th March 2014

John Waters is best known for his racy, raw, and infamous films, including Hairspray, Pink Flamingos, Cry-Baby, and Polyester. This performance, This Filthy World Vol.2, was a side-splittingly hilarious journey through Waters's life and some of his greatest films, which saw him seamlessly jump from one outlandish topic to the next. He covers everything from sex favours for books, to lesbian political dramas, pooper education, and turd terrorism. His quick wit, fast-paced delivery and energetic attitude demanded attention from the utterly enthralled audience, that had eagerly gathered in Elder Hall. Indeed, the packed house of adoring fans cheered and applauded so vigorously that their excitement could be compared to that of teenage girls at a Justin Bieber concert.

Waters possess a unique ability to make some of the most bizarre and confronting topics humorous and accessible. This is a particularly useful skill as it enables and promotes conversation of what are, overall, important and under discussed issues. In the end, it was the characteristic Waters's logic, with lines like, "Sophie's choice, wouldn't you rather your child be a drug dealer than a drug addict?", which charmed those in attendance.

John Waters is easily one of the funniest, most confronting, and intelligent performers of his generation. Moreover, his latest rapid-fire monologue is, much like the man himself, confronting, hilarious, addictive, insightful, educational and, most of all, not to be missed.

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