Hot Mess

A new musical opening at Southwark Playhouse in London: one of the writers, Jack Godfrey, grew up in Oxford and attended Wesley Memorial Church, where he received theological and musical nurturing.

Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote's musical Hot Mess takes an unconventional approach to environmental theatre by reimagining the relationship between Earth and humanity as a romantic comedy gone wrong. The two-person show follows Earth as she searches for love, having dated single-celled organisms, trilobites and dinosaurs without success. When humanity finally appears, their relationship begins promisingly but gradually turns toxic as humanity fails to treat Earth with care.

The concept emerged from an unexpected source: a painful breakup in 2019. Jack was writing melancholic songs when he had a revelation about one particular lyric. "I was singing this song, and I wondered, 'What if this song was sung from the perspective of humanity to the earth?" he explains. The line "why can't we be the way we used to be" suddenly took on environmental significance. Working with writing partner Ellie Coote, they spent six years developing the concept through workshops and readings before a successful run at Edinburgh Fringe this summer.

Comedy became essential to this balance. Initially conceived as serious, Hot Mess evolved as Jack and Ellie recognised the need for humour when addressing climate issues. "It's the spoonful of sugar as well as the medicine," he explains. "I think that comedy is crucial to talk about climate issues and to get people invested in the show."

Practical activism and Methodism

Jack credits his Methodist upbringing with shaping his approach to activism through art. Raised at Wesley Memorial Church in Oxford, he experienced what he describes as "a real culture of practical activism in the Methodist church that I really relate to". His mother works for the Methodist Church, and he has observed their commitment to environmental goals, including becoming an A Rocha Gold Award church earlier this year.

Wesley Memorial has a tradition of producing original musicals, and Jack performed in numerous productions as a child. At 16, he contributed songs to a show about Moses. At 24, he wrote a complete musical about John and Charles Wesley, performed by congregation members. "If I hadn't had the opportunity, I don't think I would be where I am now," he reflects. The Methodist emphasis on community participation and simply making things happen gave him the foundation for his current career.

This background informs his philosophy of what he calls "stealth activism". Jack believes musical theatre, as a commercial art form, must balance entertainment with substance. "How can you entertain people and then secretly also give them an important message?" he asks. "I think that it's really important, and I would rather be working on something that has something to say."

Hot Mess opens at Southward Playhouse in London on 16 October and will run until 8 November 2025.