Hot Mess | The Other Palace

Right in the middle of a heatwave, it feels particularly apt that the creative team behind 42 Balloons bring their Fringe hit musical Hot Mess back to London at The Other Palace. Hot Mess is a love story between the most well-known couple of all: Earth and Humanity, charting their highs, lows, fights, and all the chaos that comes from a century-spanning relationship.

Composed by Jack Godfrey, of Babies and 42 Balloons fame, the score is rhythmic, punctual, and flashy. Pop-focused musicals may be a modern craze, but Hot Mess fully justifies its use of the genre through a vibrant and dynamic sound. Music sits at the heart of the piece, beautifully underscoring the evolution of this relationship. Lyrically, Godfrey shines; packed with punchy puns and sharp innuendo, the writing lands consistently and with intent. The audience is truly gifted a score that doesn’t just invite you to listen, but to feel and move with it.

Ellie Coote makes up the other half of the creative team, providing Book and Direction. Whilst Hot Mess leans heavily into its music, the book still holds its own, adding texture and grounding some of the show’s more emotionally tense moments. In her direction, Coote excels, keeping a two-hander consistently fresh and surprising. The show’s commitment to its slightly bizarre, existential comedic truth is what makes it feel so exciting and original. Akin to the main creative team this story is brought to life by a two-person cast: Danielle Steers and Morgan Gregory.

Steers absolutely gleams as Earth, delivering a remarkable performance with powerhouse vocals and impressive emotional dexterity. The role fits her like a glove; there is conviction, depth, and undeniable star quality in everything she does. Her show-stopping ability is evident throughout, but most notably in the 11 o’clock number My House, which garnered a mammoth audience response.

Morgan Gregory steps into Humanity’s shoes with equal confidence. He brings a cheeky charm that quickly wins the audience over, paired with a physical agility that makes his performance consistently engaging. But Gregory offers more than charm alone; Humanity’s arc throughout lands with real impact, and he meets it with strength and clarity.

As a duo, Steers and Gregory complement each other beautifully. Their chemistry feels genuine, adding real weight to the emotional journey of their relationship. They manage to provide surprises throughout, especially during Let It Out, a genius metaphoric number. They also excel physically, navigating Alexzandra Sarmiento’s choreography with precision and flair. Sarmiento’s work is groovy and sharp, allowing character to shine through every movement.

Shankho Chadhuri’s set design reflects the story with clarity and intention. Its simplicity allows the space to transform and descend into chaos when needed. The props are a particular highlight, with Earth’s tongue-in-cheek novels adding layers of humour and detail. Ryan Joseph Stafford’s lighting design is equally effective, bringing the set to life with energy

and precision.

Whilst deeply rooted in urgent and poignant conversations around climate change and humanity’s impact, Godfrey and Coote never let the fun slip away. This balance is what makes the piece really click and will certainly facilitate space for audiences to engage and reflect with such a crucial subject matter. A climate change musical might sound like a risk, or even a hot mess waiting to happen, but here, it proves to be a genuine hit.

So, don’t be fooled by the title... Hot Mess is anything but. It’s a clever, cohesive, and captivating new musical that continues to blossom. The Fringe hype is immediately clear, and within minutes, it’s easy to see why. Full of wit, sass, and substance, Hot Mess is a bold reminder that musical theatre is more than capable of tackling some of humanity’s biggest current issues through fresh and exciting new work.

Hot Mess plays at The Other Palace until 06th September - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★★★ (5*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Pamela Raith