⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Four Stars)

Cole Escola’s delightfully unhinged and historically inaccurate play about Mary Todd Lincoln is a hysterically funny addition to the West End, where it transfers from Broadway. First things first: if you’re going into Oh, Mary! hoping to learn anything about the real historical figure of Mary Todd Lincoln, this may not be the show for you. Escola has proudly admitted to doing absolutely no research on Mary when writing the play. However, if the idea of a camp and hilarious 80 minutes at the theatre appeals to you, Oh, Mary! is a great night out.

The play follows Mary Todd Lincoln (Mason Alexander Park), an alcoholic wannabe cabaret star who, rather than fulfilling her dreams of performing on stage, is forced to suffer a life with her husband, Abraham Lincoln (Giles Terera), who is preoccupied with trivial matters like being President and fighting the Civil War. Abraham, who openly despises his wife, attempts to distract his menace of a spouse with art classes with a chaperone (Kate O’Donnell) and acting lessons with a teacher (Dino Fetscher), but to no avail as Mary continues to prove an absolute menace and terror to all those around her.

Undoubtedly, the standout performance in Oh, Mary! comes from Mason Alexander Park as the chaotic and bratty - but incredibly entertaining - Mary Todd Lincoln. Park delivers a masterclass in comedic timing and physical comedy. They portray Mary in an almost animalistic way at times, hissing and snarling as she hunts for whiskey in her husband’s office, and are hilariously restrained in other moments, tottering across the stage in a gigantic hoop skirt (designed by Holly Pierson) and struggling to navigate the small distance from the desk to the floor.

Sam Pinkleton directs the production with a tongue-in-cheek energy that the audience eagerly laps up. Each scene is punctuated by a blackout accompanied by piano music, allowing the audience to compose themselves while set transitions take place. The set, designed by Dots, transports us from the President’s office - where a portrait of George Washington, affectionately referred to as “Mother” by our protagonist, overlooks the sordid affairs - to a saloon, to the infamous box at Ford’s Theatre, and finally to the grand reveal of Mary’s long-awaited cabaret performance at the show’s conclusion.

Oh, Mary! may not be for everyone: it’s silly, ridiculous, and frivolous. But it’s also heaps of fun and features a powerhouse performance from Mason Alexander Park, alongside a strong supporting cast. You won’t learn much about the former First Lady, but you’ll leave with your cheeks aching from laughter.

Oh, Mary! runs at Trafalgar Theatre until 25th April 2026.

Tickets Available Here