Yes that Mary. This gloriously camp extravaganza received rave reviews when it debuted on Broadway; and now it’s in London. The not true story of the former first lady Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to her husband’s assassination doesn’t exactly scream queer romp, but that’s what it is; over the top and gloriously written by Cole Escola (who starred in the New York production).
Without giving too much of the plot away (critics are not supposed to and are told to ‘allow audiences to enjoy the surprise of the production’) let me just say here that there are many surprises and plot twists that you don’t see coming. And it’s all told in a quick 80 minutes where you’ll be laughing throughout. ‘Oh Mary’ is being compared to a long Saturday Night Live sketch, and indeed it is a bit, but with Mason Alexander in the lead role you’ll forget that some of the jokes miss – but most hit – the funny bone! Just a bit about the show in case your head has been buried in all things Trump; Mary Todd Lincoln is the first lady of the White House while her husband Abraham is pre-occupied with a civil war. To get her off his back he hires a dance teacher for Mary to fulfil her dream of cabaret stardom. But, as in every White House, there is a busybody who is out to ruin her reputation, and who knows what’s going to happen to the country while there is a war on and Mary’s husband is pre-occupied with a secret lover?
Mason Alexander Park is just fantastic and fabulous as Mary (Escola won a Tony Award as Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play). They pull off all the jokes and stunts (the bit on the President’s desk has to be seen to be believed) and they’re due to win awards for this performance as well. The other actors are very good, including Dino Fetscher as Mary’s teacher and Giles Terera as Mary’s husband. Now playing at the cozy Trafalgar Theatre until April 25th, 2026, I urge you to go see this very funny and original production.