HOT MESS, Lion and Unicorn Theatre
Our latest Camden Fringe interview transports us to the catwalk with Georgia Polly-Taylor. Her show HOT MESS is a tale of chaos as socialite model HOT MESS attends her first ever MET gala. Poses are struck, bowels are loose and dreams are crushed.
Describing her show as “part clown, part stand-up, part grotesque-burlesque” it certainly felt one we had to know more about. And luckily enough, Georgia had a space in her social diary inbetween practicing her poses to tell us a little more about the show that will be playing at Lion and Unicorn Theatre on 3 and 4 August.
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What can audiences expect from the show?
Audiences can expect silliness DOT COM. And by that of course I mean: glittery toilets, Daniel Craig, chewing gum, radical self acceptance, nipple tassels and a bit of Louis Armstrong brass. HOT MESS is fast paced and unforgiving, she’s loveable but unpredictable. This show is her tale of going for gold and reaching for her dreams of MET Gala super stardom.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
HOT MESS has developed a fair bit over the last year- the show was first performed for audiences at Boomtown Fair and Shambala 2024 as an 8 minute act, featuring in late night cabarets. The show was then developed into a 20 minute piece upon being programmed by The Defectors Comedy in January of this year, as part of Rosebuds Comedy Festival @ The Bread and Roses Theatre in Clapham. Now HOT MESS is back, arguably messier than ever, and ready to give audiences a full length fringe show.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
The inspiration for this show can be summarised with a few key words: toilets… high fashion runways… the human experience of crippling anxiety.
I initially started exploring HOT MESS as I was asked to perform at ‘The Mess Gala’ last year (Boomtown Fair with Exit Productions) and I thought what is ‘messier’ than a public breakdown involving a wanna be A lister, a porcelain throne and some grotesque burlesque.
How long have you been working on the play?
Since July 2024 I’ve been developing HOT MESS, but this version I have been working on for the past couple of months. The bonus in this latest evolution has been the addition of an incredible team of creatives to help push the show forward: Nancy Hannigan (Director), Calum Robshaw (Dramaturg) and Emily Russell (Lighting Design). I can’t wait to show audiences what we have all been working on!
Is this version how you originally envisioned it or has it changed drastically since you first put pen to paper?
I’d say the piece is definitely true to my original vision, but it has grown and evolved in ways that I didn’t necessarily expect. Which is great because it means that there is always more creativity to be uncovered and silliness to be discovered!
What is it about your character that you most enjoy?
I kind of love how gross HOT MESS is and I love how physical the performance is. She is a lost soul, she claws desperately for the material world and she has such a chaotic persona that audiences tend to feel equal parts hilarity to equal parts disturbed. She’s unpredictable – like a feral cat that’s been brought inside for the first time.
How challenging has this role been for you?
The challenge with this role has been in defining the world in which HOT MESS exists. She is so vast and mysterious at times so it has been important to really pin down the rules of her space so that I can play her fully and without hesitancy. HOT MESS has zero shame, so it has been key to really settle into that notion, otherwise I think it can result in audiences feeling awkward in the wrong way.
Being a fringe festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this with your set and props?
Well, it turns out that when making a show that requires a toilet, having a builder for a father is a real leg up. The HOT MESS loo is 100% authentic porcelain and has been upcycled from the scrap heap. And the props etc have been slowly built and collected over the past year- having the time to gradually develop has been a real treat as it has meant that I have been able to work fully with what I have at the time, rather than feeling pressured to spend loads of money on equipment etc. To me fringe theatre should always be about creativity and finding imaginative solutions for story telling.
How important is audience interaction to you?
Audience interaction is essential to this show. HOT MESS‘s world includes all of you – because this is HOT MESS‘s world, and we all just live in it… Without the performer-audience feedback there would not be the same experience of play and connection, and all the silliness wouldn’t be as silly.
Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run – for you or the show?
We are hoping to get the show up and about after it’s run at Camden Fringe – we’d love to tour some dates in the coming year with a plan to hit some more fringes next year too!
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be?
PURPLE. Hot Mess is dishevelled royalty.
If you had to describe your show as a meal what would it be?
Spag Bowl, except it got dropped on the way to the table and as the waiter went to pick it up a pack of dogs smashed through the window and started mauling at the mince. Fleckles of tomato sauce and cermaic tableware as far as the eye can see. People screaming. Dogs barking etc etc.
If your show had a soundtrack what songs would definitely be on it?
Madonna – Vogue. And lots of vibey catwalk music that you can bop your head to.
If you could perform this show anywhere in the world where would it be?
I think Brighton would be great. And also maybe one of the Australian fringes.
What is the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show?
A purple balloon modelled poo emoji, with eyes. It invited itself and we welcomed it in.
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
A revolving mega toilet and full blown pyrotechnics. And a glitter canon. That’s more than one thing, but you did say the budget wasn’t an issue…
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
KEEP ON KEEPING ON. The show won’t make itself. Eat your veggies. Move your body. Take the risk.
What words of advice/encouragement would you give anyone thinking about doing Camden Fringe next year?
DO IT. Fringe theatre is a marvellous world of creativity with marvellous creatives in it. You will learn so much along the way, and you will most likely have a naging time doing it.
Many thanks to Georgia for her time. HOT MESS will play at Lion and Unicorn Theatre on Sunday 3 and Monday 4 August.
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