With Hot Mess: A New Musical currently open at Southwark Playhouse Elephant until Saturday 8th November, Danielle Steers plays Earth in the two-hander opposite Tobias Turley as Humanity, and she previously performed as the character at the Pleasance Courtyard at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe over summer. Danielle played Pluto for a limited run of The Frogs in June at Southwark Playhouse Borough, and at the start of the year, she performed as Sarraghina in Nine in Concert. Previously, Danielle played a Joplinaire in the UK premiere of A Night With Janis Joplin, and she originated the role of Marsha in the Live Aid jukebox musical Just For One Day at The Old Vic. Further stage roles for Danielle include playing Lady in the 2022/23 UK Tour of The Cher Show, (with Debbie Kurup as Star and Millie O’Connell as Babe), Catherine Parr in SIX the Musical, Zahara in Bat Out Of Hell, and she was in the cast of The Bodyguard and We Will Rock You. We chatted to Danielle about her current role of Earth in Hot Mess: A New Musical at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, originating the role of Marsha in Just For One Day and performing as Lady in the UK Tour of The Cher Show.
You are currently performing in Hot Mess: A New Musical at Southwark Playhouse Elephant; how has it been transferring the show to London and how was it seeing the audience response to the world premiere production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe over summer?
We didn’t know what to expect, so to get the reviews and the awards and the feedback we did was pretty magical. Transferring has been an adjustment and we knew the London crowds would be very different to that of the Fringe, but I think the changes made have helped with that and I can’t wait to see what London thinks of it!
How did the run go at Pleasance Courtyard in Edinburgh and what was this year’s festival like to perform at?
The run was so much fun! This was my first Ed Fringe so I didn’t know what to expect and I was blown away by the response. Selling out the whole run in the first week of opening was crazy and the audiences just loved it! We felt incredibly lucky and proud of what we have.
Can you tell us about Hot Mess: A New Musical and how would you describe your character Earth?
It’s such a hard one to describe as on paper it sounds crazy, haha. But it’s basically boy meets girl and how their relationship becomes pretty toxic, romcom style, except the boy and girl in question is Earth and Humanity. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt and has some absolute bangers in it!
Earth just wants to be loved and have someone take care of her. She’s lovable, she can be vulnerable but she also doesn’t take any s**t!
With Hot Mess: A New Musical being a two-hander production; how different are you finding this to your previous projects and how is it working opposite Tobias Turley, who co-stars as Humanity?
It’s huge, there’s nowhere to hide and we only have each other to depend on if one of us were to mess up, haha. But it really is a marathon, there’s no stopping once we start!
Tobias is a dream! Such a generous scene partner and not afraid to dive into it!
What is Earth like to play and how did you prepare for taking on the role?
I love playing Earth, she’s fun, very dry humour (I have some fantastic lines), she’s got attitude, but I also love playing the vulnerable side of her. When originating a role, it’s nice because you also get to put a little bit of yourself in there and I think that shines through.
I did research a little bit, mostly on some of the lines in the script but I don’t think anything can really prepare anyone for playing Earth, haha.
How was it reading Ellie Coote’s script for the first time, and learning and performing Jack Godfrey’s songs (including recording Happy and your duet with Tobias – Better With Time for the Hot Mess EP)?
The first time I ever read the whole thing (before I officially got the job), I wasn’t sure how it was going to work. I thought the idea was crazy and I honestly couldn’t see it. BUT I was so wrong. After doing the workshop and getting to sing these songs and hearing the script out loud and how funny it was, I was obsessed! I was like, I HAVE to do this show for real!
It’s a pleasure getting to do this show and I feel so lucky!
Who do you think will enjoy watching Hot Mess: A New Musical and why would you recommend booking tickets to see the show at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, which is booking until Saturday 8th November?
I think this show is for anyone and everyone. I’ve seen teens and elders enjoy the show just as much as each other. People who want to feel something and perhaps be inspired and people who just want to hear some cracking tunes and laugh out loud!
There’s something for everyone! It won’t disappoint!
What was it like playing Pluto for a limited run in The Frogs in June at Southwark Playhouse Borough?
I loved it! So much fun! It felt strange stepping in just for the week but the entire company made me feel so welcome and I had a blast!
At the start of this year, you were part of Nine in Concert as Sarraghina, can you tell us about this?
Nine has been one of my favourite shows since I was at college and this role especially was a dream! Getting to do this show with that incredible line-up and a 30-piece orchestra was magical!! I felt so grateful to be up there. What a wonderful experience.
How did you find the experience performing as a Joplinaire in the UK premiere of A Night With Janis Joplin at the Peacock Theatre?
This was a fun show to do. Nice little run, girl power all the way with some cracking vocals. I wish we’d had a longer run, to be honest.
How was your time originating the role of Marsha in the world premiere of the jukebox musical Just For One Day at The Old Vic and telling the story of Live Aid through a modern-day perspective?
It was a hard time actually but only for the reason that I’d had my son six weeks before starting rehearsals, so I was pretty tired and worn out but at the same time so happy! Getting to originate a role is always the best, but getting to sing these songs! And tell such a powerful story! Wow! I used to get goosebumps every night doing that show. The show still means a lot to me because of the lives it changed from the actual concert but because of how it still continues to give today and I think that is so special.
What was it like portraying Lady in the 2022-23 UK Tour of The Cher Show and sharing the role of Cher with Debbie Kurup (Star) and Millie O’Connell (Babe)?
One of my fave roles to date! I actually said I was going to give up the industry if I didn’t get it, haha. I’ve been a long-time huge fan of Cher so I just HAD to be in this show and getting to share the stage with those two powerhouses… dreamy! That was an incredible experience for me, one I’ll treasure forever.
What was it like performing Cher’s music and did you have a favourite song in the musical?
Cher is one of my fave artists so to get to sing that music was so much fun. I really loved getting to show off my lower tones.
My favourite song would have to be end of act one Song for the Lonely, ugh! Singing that with Debbie and Millie every night was such a powerful moment!
Over your career so far, you have worked on many other shows including SIX the Musical (Catherine Parr), Bat Out Of Hell (Zahara), The Bodyguard (Swing / cover Nicki Marron) and We Will Rock You (Ensemble / cover Killer Queen), what are some of your stand-out highlights?
I have too many to mention. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful for every moment I’ve had. Most notably for me, my West End debut, which was also my professional debut. I’ve met some incredibly inspiring and talented people along the way. Getting to perform Bat Out Of Hell in New York was a huge highlight for me.
What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch, and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?
I really wish I could get to the theatre more! But I loved BACK TO THE FUTURE! Legally Blonde will always be a fave and I’d love Sister Act to make a comeback!
I can’t wait to see Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre and hopefully make time to see some new theatre in the new year too!
How do you like to spend your free time?
Being a mummy I don’t get much of that anymore. But when I do, I love a good thriller book and a big passion of mine is painting so I try and fit that it when I can.
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