The Earth is recovering from a long-term relationship with the tyrannosaurus rex and is ready to mingle. An appearance from the slightly odd Humanity does not seem promising at first, but once desire has been kindled, the inevitable heartbreak and climate chaos is only a matter of tunes away. A musical exploring the destruction of the climate by an idiot species is a break from generic romances, but by setting the toxic behaviour of homo sapiens in the context of dating opens up both humour and insight.

Unlike most musicals, Hot Mess has a score that sounds as though it’s heard of electronic music, adding a techno sparkle and r’n’b swank for a tragedy as inevitable as Hamlet while managing to have fun with the personifications of planets and species. Initially, the human thinks that the universe revolves around the Earth, but once coal is dug up, toxic masculinity soon sees him chasing other planets and trashing the place. Fast-paced, witty and thoughtful, Hot Mess has a dynamism and sincerity that lends its educational message a playful edge. With a cast of only two, it covers the entire Anthropocene from the perspective of a wounded ecosystem.

Hot Mess, Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 August, 3.10pm.