Hot Mess isn’t your typical boy meets girl love story, boy does indeed meet girl but this time girl is Earth and boy is Humanity, making what could be one of the most iconic couplings in history.

We meet Earth 66 million years out of her breakup with apex predator t-Rex and she is looking to get back into dating when along comes a new suitor, Humanity. After gradually winning her over their relationship begins to flourish as Humanity invents the wheel, the plough and more. However as we watch the all familiar technological advances we also watch their relationship begin to fracture.

The book by Ellie Coote is wickedly clever, with the show packed full of analogy and despite being able to guess how the relationship will go you can’t help but root for Humanity to see the error of his ways and fix their relationship before it is too late but deep down know that Earth is far too good for him! You feel for Earth as their toxic relationship spirals and the pattern of empty promises and gaslighting emerge. Despite knowing, at least roughly, that Humanity will end up destroying their relationship, the end the story never feels predictable or forced and this metaphor works surprisingly well throughout all of the show.

The witty and relevant book is enhanced by Jack Godfrey’s equally as funny and incredibly catchy music and lyrics and the cast perform hit after hit throughout the show, so much so that I am considering a petition for the full cast recording to be released asap (3 songs are currently released).

Earth herself is played by Danielle Steers and to play the Earth herself is a big ask, but boy does Steers deliver; powerhouse vocals, a feisty but warm delivery and utterly convincing both as an independent woman in love through to a self sacrificing woman keen to make a relationship work. Tobias Turley is Humanity and his character progression throughout the show is exquisite to watch, from unassuming in their early days through to ruthless and self centred as their relationship comes to its final stages it was an utter joy. The energy from both Steers and Turley is infectious and I found myself grinning from ear to ear throughout their performances.

Set and costume design is by Shankho Chaudhuri and the set whilst simple gives the couple plenty of playing space whilst still creating a feeling of intimacy that it almost feels as if we are walking into their home. The costume design is equally as clever with colour pallets reflecting their characters but the style of their outfits gradually shifting as the relationship develop.

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.

Hot Mess is running at Southwark Playhouse until Saturday 8th November. You can find out more about the show and book tickets here.

If you liked this review you might also like my review of Babies (also by Jack Godfrey), Operation Mincemeat and Six.