Writer: Ella Hickson
Director: Úna Ní Nualláin
Hot Mess from TeoChroí Productions and Muirenn Lyons is incredibly difficult to succinctly describe. An uncomfortable sensory nightmare, the show is difficult to follow and hard to understand. After a year apart, twins Polo (Fiachra Corkery) and Twitch (Molly Mew) have come back together in their hometown to celebrate their 25th birthday. With Twitch’s new beau Billy (Ross Fitzpatrick) and friend Jacks (Laura McAleenan) they head out for a night in the local club.
As the audience enters techno music is blaring from DJ Ruairí Nicholl, who looked to be having the time of his life. Corkery and Mew are lying on the stage, perfectly still and dressed in similar dungaree outfits. Several minutes of loud techno and awkwardly trying to look anywhere but at the two people lying on stage later, the show finally begins. A bizarre interpretive dance follows where the two actors are breathing loudly at each other like something from a horror movie and shifts immediately into monologue. This strange movement and breathing happens throughout the show and feels out of place with the tone of the rest of the show and the point of it gets lost. The tonal shifts are so sudden that they’re jarring and uncomfortable.
Large amounts of the play are treated as though we are all in the nightclub. Strobe lighting and loud music overshadow the dialogue and make it essentially incomprehensible at various points. There is an uncomfortable attempt at getting an audience chant going at one point, but it wasn’t clear enough that the audience was supposed to actually participate. There is, however, some great genuine humour throughout. Although not necessarily a funny play, the lines that were supposed to be humorous easily garnered laughter.
The characters are mostly unlikeable. Twitch does terrible things in the name of love and Polo covers for her every time. The standout character and performance came from Laura McAleenan’s Jacks. She’s a party girl who likes sex and owns it completely. Costuming is simple, but clearly identifies the personalities of each person. Billy’s tight polo, jeans and white trainers scream ‘lad’ while Jacks’ short sparkly top and turquoise bra peeking through her punk top clearly identify her as a party girl.
The set is simple and effective. Some fishing nets and rocks give you the impression of being near a beach. The overall space in the Boys School within Smock Alley is used effectively throughout. This is particularly true of the wonderful directorial decision by Úna Ní Nualláin to use the windows above the stage area for both the DJ and some aspects of scenes throughout the show.
The name of this show, Hot Mess, acts as an excellent descriptor for the show overall. Although some aspects were done well, the whole thing just doesn’t quite gel.
Runs Until 14th March 2026.
