‘The Pope Of Trash’, ‘The Duke Of Dirt’, ‘The Prince Of Puke’ - writer/director John Waters responds to these and many other titles. The man behind such infamous efforts as Female Trouble (that’s the one in which drag queen Divine goes to the electric chair) and Pink Flamingos (that’s the one in which drag queen Divine eats fresh dog shit), Baltimore’s most transgressive son is a cult filmmaker par excellence. The only problem being that, with a few exceptions (the original Hairspray, the early Johnny Depp vehicle Cry-Baby), Waters’ movies don’t have that much to recommend them - not unless you have a thing for cross-dressers indulging in out-there behaviour.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a fan of John Waters’ films to enjoy This Filthy World, a one-man stage show in which our man spins anecdotes with the expertise of Peter Ustinov. Not that dear, dear Peter ever told tales about the origins of teabagging and the difficulties of attending kids’ movies when you look like a paedophile.
A whiz through the Baltimorean’s filmography interspersed with stories about his penchant for attending trials and the odd things fans have asked him to sign (an arse, a colostomy bag, a fresh tampon), This Filthy World’s only fault is that it makes Waters’ movies - particularly his early unwatchable ones - sound more exciting than they really are. Providing you’re not suckered into watching Multiple Maniacs or Mondo Trasho, you’re in for the most delicious of treats.
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