Following its critically acclaimed five-star world premiere and ahead of its London transfer, the award-winning new musical Hot Mess, described as ‘blazing’ (The Guardian) and ‘ingenious’ (The Scotsman), scooped five major awards and earned widespread acclaim from both press and audiences alike.
This relatively new musical has a simple but very effective concept – Earth and Hugh-manity are 2 people in a relationship. It’s clever and it’s funny and of course it starts with indifference, builds to a strong love affair, and then falls apart. Along the way are some great witty situations and double-entendres.
Despite the flippant look of the set and costumes, the production quality is top-notch! Rarely has sound worked so well in this venue. The mics are turned on and the reverb subtly comes and goes in sync with the dialogue and songs. Nobody sounds over-amplified nor deep down in a well.
The lighting is brilliant! Ryan Joseph Stafford (who graduated with a 1st class Honours degree in lighting design from Rose Brufford college) has nailed it! With key lights to show faces, a soft follow-spot, lighting ripples that emote the story and the music and then many stars and LEDs placed all around the venue throughout the auditorium it’s a beautiful combination. Perfectly balancing the illumination, dimension, atmosphere and effects. Lighting this good is a rare treat!
Musically there is a lot more going on than the 2 live musicians could supply. Blending backing tracks of many musical instruments seamlessly into the mix of live playing and singing this is a joy. The music itself did occasionally pastiche other songs such as those from SIX and Pink Pony Club but that felt cheeky and fun!
This is well cast in Danielle and Tobias who rarely leave the stage and have the vocal skills and acting to hold this all together.
Coming in within 60 minutes, what’s not to love about this musical!
Photos by Helen Murray
Performers
Earth Danielle Steers
Humanity Tobias Turley
Book Writer and Director Ellie Coote
Music, Lyrics and Co-Orchestrator Jack Godfrey
Musical Supervisor and Co-Orchestrator Joe Beighton
Movement Director Alexzandra Sarmiento
Set and Costume Designer Shankho Chaudhuri
Lighting Designer Ryan Joseph Stafford
Sound Designer Paul Gatehouse
Musical Director Issie Osborne
Dramaturg Deirdre O’Halloran
Intimacy Director Lex Kaby
Associate Sound Designer Charlie Smith
Costume Supervisor Caroline Mirfin
Producer James Ashfield
Executive Producer Vicky Graham for Vicky Graham Productions
Assistant Producer Finlay Carroll
Stage One Trainee Producer Callie Barter
Deputy Stage Manager Emily Humphrys
Sound Operator María José Ibarbo
Production Manager Christopher Ball for Birmingham Hippodrome and Emily Obasohan
Casting Director Pearson Casting CDG
Dates Thursday 16th October – Saturday 8th November
2.30pm/7.00pm (65 minutes running time)
Location Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, London, SE11 4RX
Box Office Ticket prices: £12 Pioneers Preview £16 previews | Off Peak Standard £32/£27/£20 | Peak Standard £37/£32/£25 | Off Peak Concessions £26/£22/£16 | Peak Concessions £30/£26/£20 https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/hot-mess/
Age guidance 12+
How to Get There The nearest stations are Borough and Elephant & Castle
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