Review: Hot Mess, The Lion & Unicorn Theatre

Hot Mess is a crazy mixture of stand-up comedy and burlesque, alongside clownish and grotesque humour. It confronts audiences with an abundance of toilet humour and outrageous gags. 

In this one-woman show, Georgia Polly-Taylor stars as the titular Hot Mess, a socialite model whose dream is to attend the Met Gala. Following an IBS attack at the event, after consuming too much lactose, news outlets run wild with the disgusting story. Visceral descriptions of violent excrement running down the Met steps, and hilarious videos ensue. Hot Mess’ career is flushed down the toilet.

Whilst this is the main premise of the show, it is quite difficult to relay what exactly happens and do it justice. It’s best to go in blind, leave your preconceptions at the door and buckle in for an hour of scatophilia and disturbing yet hilarious humour. The show is fast-paced and Polly-Taylor takes us on many detours, displaying her vast skill set, from balloon modelling poop, catwalking and strip-teasing to lip-syncing and dancing. Her use of props is spectacular, from a bedazzled toilet to a feather boa, allowing her physical comedy to shine. With nods to queer culture, it’s a celebration of embracing subversion and letting loose.

Polly-Taylor is mesmerising as Hot Mess, and one can’t help but be captivated by her every move. From the moment of entering the stage, she commands the audience, and we simply wonder what she will do next, unable to look away even as she makes us cringe with disgust and delight. The way in which she leans into her character is unforgiving, fully immersing herself to embody the Hot Mess who is unapologetically chaotic, honest and shameless. 

Audience participation is a large part of the show, and thankfully, the audience revels in the character’s outlandishness. All throughout, audience members bellow with laughter, some even with tears streaming down their faces. Polly-Taylor knows how to work an audience and riff off them. With a show like this, it is paramount that the audience work with her and embrace the silliness of it all. Prepare to be picked on, invited on stage or have your personal space invaded.

Hot Mess is a spectacular physical comedy guaranteed to leave you wondering what on earth just happened. It’s a delightful fever dream of chaos, absurdity and glamour. Though its current run for Camden Fringe has finished, it is certainly a show with a bright future, and one to keep an eye out for.

Writer & Performer: Georgia Polly-Taylor
Director & Producer: Nancy Hannigan
Dramaturg: Calum Robshaw
Lighting Designer: Emily Russell
Stage Manager: Jack Donovan Taylor
Voiceover Artist: Anne McDonagh
Recording Musician: Alfredo Mudie

You can read more about Hot Mess in our recent interview.

Hot Mess has now ended its run at The Lion and Unicorn.