Hot Mess with Ellie Coote & Jack Godfrey

About this episode

Ellie Coote and Jack Godfrey discuss their award-winning musical Hot Mess and its themes surrounding the climate crisis and relationships.

This episode, we're joined by writer-director Ellie Coote and composer-lyricist Jack Godfrey, the award-winning creative team behind the smash-hit new musical Hot Mess. Following acclaimed runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Southwark Playhouse, Hot Mess returns this summer for an extended London season at The Other Palace. The high-energy original romcom reimagines the climate crisis as the ultimate relationship drama, turning Earth and Humanity into star-crossed lovers whose billion-year romance may finally be heading for a messy break-up. During our conversation, Ellie and Jack discuss the journey of creating one of the most exciting new British musicals of recent years, from its Fringe First Award-winning beginnings to becoming a multi-award-winning audience favourite. They talk about writing comedy around such a huge global issue, why hope sits at the heart of the story, and how they balance big ideas with infectious pop songs and laugh-out-loud humour. We also explore their creative partnership, the success of 42 Balloons, the challenges of developing original musical theatre in the UK, and what they've learned from watching audiences connect with the show's…

People in this episode

Hosts: Natalie Maher, Darren Murphy

Guests: Ellie Coote, Jack Godfrey

Topics covered

• musical theatre
• climate crisis
• creative partnership
• original musicals
• audience engagement

Keywords

• Hot Mess
• musical
• climate crisis
• Ellie Coote
• Jack Godfrey
• The Other Palace
• audience connection
• comedy
• original musical theatre

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Other Palace

Books & works: Hot Mess

Places: Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Southwark Playhouse, London

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