Hot Mess: A New Musical
Southwark Playhouse Elephant
From the creative team behind 42 Balloons comes Hot Mess: A New Musical, a witty, vibrant, and surprisingly heartfelt new show that blends pop, science, and heartbreak with impressive charm. Produced by the Birmingham Hippodrome in association with Vicky Graham Productions, the show arrives in London following a sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run, and it’s already clear why audiences are falling for this offbeat, intergalactic romance.
Written and directed by Ellie Coote, with music and lyrics by Jack Godfrey, Hot Mess turns the relationship between Earth and Humanity into a metaphorical love story for the ages. After “a billion years of bad dates,” Earth finally finds her match in Humanity, and for a while, everything seems perfect. Life blossoms, technology advances, and things look bright... until, inevitably, the cracks begin to show. What starts as a cosmic honeymoon quickly spirals into a climate-conscious breakup, full of laughter, longing, and self-reflection.
The story may sound abstract, but the execution is wonderfully grounded. Playing at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant, the production thrives in an intimate setting, bringing the larger-than-life concept down to something beautifully human. The small space amplifies both the humour and the heartbreak, making it feel as though the fate of the planet is unfolding right before your eyes.
At the centre of the show are two knockout performances. Danielle Steers (Six The Musical, Bat Out of Hell) is magnetic as Earth; playful, warm, and commanding, with vocals that could shake tectonic plates. She brings both power and vulnerability to the role, embodying a planet who loves too deeply and gives too much. Opposite her, Tobias Turley (Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream, Mamma Mia! West End) makes a charming and nuanced Humanity, capturing the curiosity, creativity, and recklessness that define the character. His beautiful voice also gets a chance to soar as he gives a versatile performance, we're defnitely watching the rise of a powerhouse leading man. The duo's chemistry is undeniable- playful one moment and devastating the next.
The music, by Jack Godfrey, is a major highlight. It’s contemporary pop with theatrical intelligence. The songs are catchy enough to get stuck in your head, but layered with meaning. Each song adds emotional depth, moving the story forward rather than simply decorating it. What's also brilliant is that the sound feels fresh yet familiar, echoing the spirit of today’s best modern musicals while finding its own distinct identity.
Visually, Shankho Chaudhuri’s set and costume design make clever use of the intimate Southwark Playhouse. The stage evolves with the characters, what begins bright and vibrant gradually shifts into something darker, mirroring the show’s emotional journey. It's a great set up where minimalism meets playfulness, making the production feel much bigger than its modest footprint.
Hot Mess succeeds because it balances wit with sincerity. It’s self-aware and funny, but never cynical. The climate-change metaphor is present, but never heavy-handed, allowing the emotional story to take precedence. If anything, it’s a show about relationships. Between people, between us and the world we live in, and between idealism and reality.
There are moments when the pace could use tightening, and a few scenes feel like they could dig even deeper emotionally, but these are small quibbles in an otherwise glowing night of theatre. For a musical that manages to make audiences laugh, think, and even feel a little guilty about their recycling habits, Hot Mess is a rare gem.
If you love smart new writing, pop-driven scores, and musicals that wear their heart (and humour) on their sleeve, this one’s for you. It’s inventive, touching, wonderfully entertaining, and proof that sometimes the biggest stories can thrive in the smallest spaces.
★★★★
Reviewed on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Helen Murray
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
.png)
Comments