Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! arrives at Trafalgar Theatre in London with the weight of Broadway acclaim behind it, and it is easy to see why this outrageous dark comedy has caused such a stir. Directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, the play takes a gleefully irreverent approach to history, reimagining Mary Todd Lincoln not as a tragic figure but as a whisky-soaked former cabaret star, desperate to escape the suffocating confines of First Lady life.
The premise is as far-fetched as it is delicious: Abraham Lincoln, portrayed here as a closeted homosexual, hires an acting teacher to keep Mary occupied and away from the stage. Needless to say, his plan backfires spectacularly. What follows is a riotous spiral of debauchery and absurdity. It is a bold, anarchic vision that revels in its own audacity.
The set, designed with comic book simplicity, frames the chaos perfectly. Its exaggerated lines and vibrant palette underscore the play’s heightened reality, while Holly Pierson’s costumes add a layer of camp glamour that feels entirely in keeping with Escola’s vision. At just 80 minutes, the piece moves at a brisk pace, and while the first half leans heavily on shock humour, the second act deepens the intrigue as secrets and suppressed desires begin to surface.
Mason Alexander Park is nothing short of superb as Mary. Their performance is fabulously over the top, yet never loses sight of the character’s desperation beneath the bravado. Park’s command of the stage is magnetic, and their singing in the finale is an absolute delight, earning one of the evening’s biggest ovations. Giles Terera brings gravitas and sly humour to Abraham, while Dino Fetscher shines as the hapless acting teacher, caught in Mary’s whirlwind. Kate O’Donnell and Oliver Stockley complete the ensemble with sharp comic timing.
This is not a play for everyone. Its outrageous style and relentless irreverence may alienate those who prefer their historical dramas straight-laced. Yet for audiences willing to embrace the madness, Oh, Mary! offers something genuinely different: a comedy that is as unpredictable as it is audacious. You never quite know what might happen next, and that sense of danger is part of its charm.
Oh, Mary! is a wild, whisky-soaked ride through history that proves even the First Lady can steal the show.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
