The UK is in the middle of a fierce heatwave, yet it is the relationship between Earth and Humanity which raises the mercury in this impressive and terrifically funny climate-centric musical.
Fresh from successful runs in Edinburgh and the Southwark Playhouse Elephant, Hot Mess takes a novel look at the climate crisis by spotlighting the complicated relationship between our planet and human beings, amusingly putting them in a relationship with each other. Earth (a formidable Danielle Steers) has been looking for romance since her ex, the dinosaurs, went extinct on her, and soon becomes infatuated by Humanity (Morgan Gregory), Hugh for short, a nomadic-type who epitomises humankind’s thousands of years of progress. What starts as a romance which burns bright with affection and lust soon burns much brighter with fossil fuels as Humanity’s plundering of Earth’s resources takes effect.
The metaphor about the climate crisis and environmental damage is not particularly subtle, but that is not problematic either, brought to the fore instead not through preaching dialogue but instead via Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote’s book and music, which shines throughout, powerful in nature yet poignant at the right moments too, blending the concepts of climate change with a failing romance strikingly.
Returning to the role having originated it, Steers is outstanding as Earth, mixing the character’s longing for affection with a sense of sheer power which rumbles and bubbles to the surface. Steers is a terrific musical theatre performer, delivering numbers here in a captivating manner, yet it is the tenderness of Earth’s character and her fury at Humanity’s eyes on another woman (the Moon, to be precise) that help make the show’s outlandish premise land with such success. Yet there is also superb energy and fire within Earth, brought to the fore in a remarkable conclusion that, despite Humanity’s best attempts, reiterates Earth’s resolve, both literally and metaphorically, and reminds us of nature’s power.
Alongside Steers is the excellent Gregory, initially the charming and goofy Humanity, the character shifts as he goes from finding his feet with Earth to indulging in the discoveries and money to be made from using and abusing her resources. The tonal shift is stark, heightened during the pair’s strong climaxing numbers ‘What Did You Expect’ and ‘My House’, creating an impressively chilling atmosphere as Humanity looms dominant and dangerous over Earth.
Despite its lofty ideas and absurd concept, the piece is packed with great heart and humour. The gags are quick, leaning on brilliant one-liners and clever use of book puns (such as ‘A Tale of CO2 Cities’), which nod to the barmy nature of the story, disarming any preconceptions about the production’s bizarre premise with strong writing.
Moreover, Shankho Chaudhuri’s set and Ryan Joseph Stafford’s lighting designs combine well, starting with a green and tranquil set laced with floral imagery and natural beauty. The growth of oranges and yellows, later on, track Humanity’s industrialisation, helping keep the musical’s timeline together, and chronicles the erosion of the pairing.
On paper, a personified construct of Earth and Humanity dating sounds like a disaster, yet Hot Mess is anything but. This is a bold and provocative musical, tightly written and with no bloating, tackling humanity’s abuse of the natural world while also lacing in ideas about female empowerment and patriarchal oppression. Fun and fiery in equal measure, it is a production which tackles the impending climate disaster with urgency, but also with a creative genius and approach that feels both timely and timeless.
