NEWS: 'HOT MESS' TO TRANSFER TO SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE
- Neill Kovacic-Clarke
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Birmingham Hippodrome in association with
Vicky Graham Productions presents
HOT MESS
to transfer to Southwark Playhouse Elephant
Thursday 16th October – Saturday 8th November 2025
New romcom musical from award-winning 42 Balloons creative duo and the UK’s only in-house New Musical Theatre department transfers from Edinburgh Festival Fringe to Southwark Playhouse Elephant
West End stars Danielle Steers and Tobias Turley lead the production
Music and lyrics by Jack Godfrey (WINNER: The Stage Debut Awards 2024 - best composer, lyricist or book writer for 42 Balloons)
Book and direction by Ellie Coote (AWARD NOMINATED: The Stage Debut Awards 2024 - director for 42 Balloons), HOT MESS, will transfer to London’s Southwark Playhouse Elephant following its highly anticipated world premiere at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The high-energy original romcom will run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant Thursday 16th October – Saturday 8th November 2025 following its Edinburgh Festival Fringe run at Pleasance Courtyard from Wednesday 30th July - Monday 25th August.
Created by the award-winning creative duo behind 42 Balloons, the pop musical reimagines the climate crisis as a tempestuous relationship between Earth and Humanity. Leading the production are acclaimed West-End stars Danielle Steers (SIX The Musical, The Cher Show) and Tobias Turley (winner - ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream). The powerhouse cast play the roles of Earth and Humanity respectively and tell a story of love, hope and the ultimate break-up.
After a billion years of bad dates, Earth’s finally found the one... Humanity. Sparks fly. Wheat is harvested. Technology flourishes. But what begins as a passionate love affair between the universe’s most iconic couple quickly descends into a Hot Mess.
Joining the team alongside 42 Balloons creative duo Ellie Coote and Jack Godfrey are Tony and Grammy nominated Paul Gatehouse (Sound Designer), Joe Beighton (Musical Supervisor and Co-orchestrator), Alexzandra Sarmiento (Movement Director), Shankho Chaudhuri (Set and Costume Designer), Ryan Joseph Stafford (Lighting Designer), Issie Osborne (Musical Director), Deirdre O'Halloran (Dramaturg), Lex Kaby (Intimacy Director), Charlie Smith (Associate Sound Designer), Caroline Mirfin (Costume Supervisor), James Ashfield (Producer), Vicky Graham for Vicky Graham Productions (Executive Producer), Finlay Carroll (Assistant Producer), Callie Barter (Stage One Trainee Producer), Emily Humphrys (Deputy Stage Manager), Christopher Ball and Emily Obasohan (Production Managers) with casting by Pearson Casting CDG.
HOT MESS is the first production from the UK’s only in-house New Musical Theatre Department at Birmingham Hippodrome to transfer to London.
Jon Gilchrist, Artistic Director and CEO at Birmingham Hippodrome said:
We are absolutely thrilled to continue Hot Mess’s journey beyond Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a London transfer to Southwark Playhouse Elephant. Ellie and Jack have created a sharp, heartfelt romcom and with West End stars Danielle Steers and Tobias Turley at the helm, this show is guaranteed to be full of character, charm and catchy tunes.
HOT MESS is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome. It was commissioned by Vicky Graham Productions who co-produce in partnership with Aria Entertainment / TRW Production. The Principal Supporter of Hot Mess is Charles Holloway.
The sky’ s the limit for this funny, touching, uplifting tale ★★★★★ The Stage on 42 Balloons
Whip-smart, funny….exceptionally touching ★★★★★ The Times on 42 Balloons
A treasure trove of imagination ★★★★★ WhatsOnStage on The Jingleclaw
HOT MESS
Thursday 16th October – Saturday 8th November 2025
Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, London, SE11 4RX
All details in this article are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
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