Humanity’s relationship with the planet Earth has always been complicated, and Hot Mess, Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote’s musical, which has returned to London at The Other Palace, takes this literally.
Earth (Danielle Steers) is seeking the partner of her dreams after the end of the dinosaur age. What she doesn’t know is that her life and continents will be disrupted beyond endurance by this new man, Hugh Manity (Morgan Gregory).
Hot Mess is a TED Talk turned romantic comedy, and both Steers and Gregory run with the preposterous concept and Godfrey’s pulsating songs. This is a passionate battle of ideals and consequences.
Performed against a set (by Shankho Chaudhuri) of strip-lights (lighting designer Ryan Joseph Stafford), platforms, and a hint of nature outdoors, Hot Mess races through 85 minutes of amusing sequences and thought-provoking comment on what we humans have done to our planet – felling its forests, wasting its fossil fuels, polluting its skies and rivers.
Although Earth is at first dazzled by Hugh, over centuries of what he calls ‘progress’ she finally sees him for what he is. Songs underly this from “Tomorrow” (Hugh can’t think about things now), “What Did You Expect?” (the dangers of letting humanity take charge), and “Introducing Earth” (looking for love).
It’s a genuinely funny musical with a lively pop score – if you have seen Godfrey’s previous collaboration with Coote (42 Balloons) or with Martha Geelan (Babies), you will know his style and skill with left-field material.
Don’t worry too much about how one man can have an intimate relationship with a woman who happens to be the Earth, and how they voyage around her in a boat. It’s clearly a metaphor for accessing Earth’s natural resources and misusing them.
This relationship ticks all the rom-com boxes – attraction, discovery, irritation – and the performances of Steers and Gregory make it work. Their interplay is sweet; their chemistry strong. Both get a chance to stand alone on the stage to put their side across.
Hot Mess is a refreshing new take on the ‘climate change’ show, and an accomplished addition to the world of new British musicals. This one started as part of Birmingham Hippodrome’s New Musical Theatre Department‘s roster, which allows new musicals to be developed and workshopped.
Coote’s direction and Sarmiento’s choreography keep up the momentum and pace, and allow some audience interplay early on. I also liked Sarah Mercade’s costumes, especially for Earth.
Hot Mess‘s three-piece band (Sara de Sanctis, MD and keys; Leo Aram-Downs and Sam Ward, guitars) are excellent, never overpowering the vocals. Music supervisor Joe Beighton co-orchestrates the score with composer Godfrey.
An enjoyable romp across the universe, and through an unconventional coupling, Hot Mess is worth picking up a ticket during its current run.
Four stars.
Hot Mess is at The Other Palace until 6 Sep, with several wrap-around events – details here.
Photo credit: Pamela Raith