Well loves, this one’s been smouldering away in my satchel for a while – and now it’s bursting into full flame. Theatre Village has been behind Hot Mess since before it even hit the cobbles of Edinburgh, and when it finally landed at the Fringe, we were there in the front row, handing over a glittering 5 stars.
And guess what? We told you so. While some folk were still scratching their heads about whether a rom-com about the climate crisis could actually work, we’d already seen the sparks flying. Now, after scooping a clutch of awards and setting critics ablaze, Hot Mess is strutting down to London – just like we said it would. Sometimes a postie really does know best.
And it wasn’t just us dazzled. Following its world premiere, this high-energy new musical swept up award after award, including the coveted Fringe First, the Popcorn Writing Award, Musical Theatre Review’s New Musical Theatre Award, The List’s International Fringe Encore Series prize, and even a nod in The Stage’s Fringe Five. Not bad for a first outing, eh?
Hot Mess, created by the brilliant duo Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote (yes, the same team who gave us 42 Balloons), cleverly reimagines the climate crisis as a rom-com – with Earth and Humanity at the centre of a tempestuous love affair. Performed by Tobias Turley and Danielle Steers, the pair blaze through heartbreak, hope and humour in a story that’s as ingenious as it is urgent.
The Guardian called it “blazing”, The Scotsman declared it “ingenious”, and I can tell you from experience – sitting among the Fringe throng, clutching my notebook like a hot water bottle – it’s a show that leaves scorch marks on your heart.
And now, ahead of its London transfer this October, the buzz has only grown louder. Hot Mess marks the first ever Fringe production from Birmingham Hippodrome’s New Musical Theatre Department – the UK’s only in-house hub for creating brand-new musicals. And what a debut: bold, brilliant and brimming with bite.
Birmingham Hippodrome’s team are glowing with pride – and rightly so. As Deirdre O’Halloran, Head of New Musical Theatre, put it: “Audiences are hungry for bold and innovative original stories that reflect the big issues of our times.” And Artistic Director Jon Gilchrist added, “We are enormously proud that work by our New Musical Theatre Department is receiving acclaim on a national stage.”
So, London – get your tickets ready. Hot Mess is arriving with fire in its belly and more than a few sparks to throw around. From Fringe glory to the capital’s stage, this is one delivery you don’t want to miss.
About the Author
