John Waters

Performance dates & times

Firday 18 Oct

8:00 PM

Running Time Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes

Price range

Standard

$65 - $85

Concession

$69

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Hysterical, shameless and revelatory.

With his pencil-thin moustache, Hollywood smile and trademark flamboyant suit, John Waters has forged an unwavering path in his quest to give bad taste a good name.

Known for his early subversive work such as Pink Flamingos (1972), as well as box office hit Hairspray (1988), the eccentric filmmaker has pioneered transgressive movies.

In this Melbourne exclusive performance, Waters serves up salty reflections on the world today, his camp obsessions and life lessons including the downsides to fame (none), all studded with cameos from the larger-than-life stars he has worked with — from Divine and Mink Stole to Johnny Depp, Kathleen Turner and Patricia Hearst.

The raconteur has been touring to adoring crowds around the world for nearly 15 years — though his outrageous insights are as sharp as ever. His return to the Arts Centre Melbourne coincides with the release of his ninth book Mr. Know-It-All, The Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder. For one night only, hear the ruminations and frank observations from the Filth Elder himself.

It is a show that I’m constantly updating. I try to make it filthier and dirtier.

John Waters

Waters doesn't kowtow to the received wisdom, he flips it the bird… he has the ability to show humanity at its most ridiculous and make that funny rather than repellent.

The Washington Post

Waters is growing old in disgraceful fashion. Avid fans will know some of the shtick already but nothing can compare to hearing it from the horse's filthy mouth.

Film4

It is a show that I’m constantly updating. I try to make it filthier and dirtier.
John Waters

Waters doesn't kowtow to the received wisdom, he flips it the bird… he has the ability to show humanity at its most ridiculous and make that funny rather than repellent.
The Washington Post

Waters is growing old in disgraceful fashion. Avid fans will know some of the shtick already but nothing can compare to hearing it from the horse's filthy mouth.
Film4

Accessibility

Wheelchair access
Assistive hearing
Companion Card

Credits

More about John Waters

Waters made his first short film Hag in a Black Leather Jacket in 1964, and his first feature Mondo Trasho was completed in 1969, despite production grinding to a halt when the director and two actors were arrested for "participating in a misdemeanor, to wit: indecent exposure." Three years later, Waters created what would become the most notorious film in 1970s American independent cinema Pink Flamingos, centred on the battle to secure the title 'Filthiest People Alive’ . Waters had box office and critical success in 1988 with Hairspray, later turned into a Broadway production, and a Hollywood remake in 2007. Subsequent films included Cry-Baby (1990) and Serial Mom (1994). In addition to his contribution to the film industry, Waters has authored nine books and is an acclaimed photographer. His lifelong love of subversive art led to a major retrospective exhibition Indecent Exposure, launched this year in his hometown of Baltimore, featuring over 160 artworks riffing on the ways mass media and celebrity embody cultural attitudes, moral codes, and shared tragedy.