We round up the reviews for Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote’s latest show, arriving in London following a run at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Broadway World: **** “Hot Mess’ smart writing and songs are only amplified by Danielle Steers (Six) and Tobias Turley’s (Mamma Mia!) central performances, carrying a blazing chemistry and vocals that could take you to the stratosphere.”
West End Best Friend: **** “Hot Mess does an impressive job of reminding us all just how hot it’s getting – all while maintaining that necessary musical escapism.”
London Theatre Reviews: **** “Hot Mess proves that theatre can tackle big issues without being boring or heavy-handed. It’s funny, it’s moving, and it might just make you think differently about our planet. What more could you want from a night out?”
All That Dazzles: *** “Though it’s far from perfect, Hot Mess is far from a hot mess in itself. Bearing in mind that this is still relatively early days in this musical’s life cycle, the huge potential it has is clear to see. With a concept as clever as this, it just needs to work on its own creativity a bit more so it can find its own path, though I’m sure it will continue to evolve in the months and years to come, getting even better with time.”
Beyond the Curtain.co.uk: ***** “The inventive nature of the set links to the playfulness of the piece, and fits the pop vibes perfectly. This takes a turn, which is reflected in the costume design; beginning as cheerful and romantic, moving into more serious, darker territory as the relationship (and climate metaphor) evolves. I can’t imagine many people walking away without a smile. If you’re into love, sci-fi, pop bangers, or a healthy dose of cheeky humour, this one’s got your name on it.”
The Spy in the Stalls: ***** “Naturally, the audience can see where the relationship will go from a million miles away, but ‘Hot Mess’ continually manages to entertain and surprise regardless. It transforms the climate crisis into a narrative of romantic fall-out so familiar that it allows the viewer to easily grasp some of the underlying issues that have caused it, pointing to humans’ essential solipsism and carelessness.”
Time Out: **** “At 65 minutes, it’s short and sweet, but I’d say it still feels like an early iteration of a show that could grow with time (it was a hit at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where about an hour is the optimal running time). The songs are absolutely there – and are packed with humour and sharp commentary – but were the narrative between them to be more fleshed out, weaving in more nuggets about humanity’s disastrous impact on Earth, this could be a pseudo-educational musical to rival Tudor wives avenger Six. “
Musical Theatre Musings: ***** “With a book and music that both entertains and educates and a cast that are perfect for their roles, Hot Mess is far from a mess and instead is set to be a hot success.”
British Theatre Guide: “The music veers from rock balladry to electro-pop to more soulful moments. The show’s funniest moments derive from Humanity’s attempts at reassurance, which feel like a parody of greenwashing, all tote bags and environmental summits, the show’s equivalent of gaslighting. Humanity’s affairs with the Moon and beyond feel like a dig at a certain space-obsessed tycoon, but the show is never overtly political. It works because it avoids didacticism about the environment and to hysterical effect riffs on the couple’s symbiotic / dysfunctional relationship. Underneath the silliness lurk thoughtful ideas about the way we construct the world and ourselves.”
Hot Mess continues to play at the Southwark Playhouse until the 8th November.