Oh, Mary! - Review

Trafalgar Theatre, London

*****

Written by Cole Escola

Directed by Sam Pinkleton

Mason Alexander Park and Giles Terera

Exploring the life of another lesser-known figure from the pages of American history, Oh, Mary! sets out to do for First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, what Hamilton achieved for Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. Well, almost….

 

Cole Escola’s play (with some music) is all about Mary in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. In an irreverent and hilarious pastiche on the Lincoln White House and as the American Civil War is in its closing days, Mason Alexander Park plays Mary, an alcoholic with a past as a cabaret singer and an unrequited desire to achieve more from her life in so many ways.

 

Escola’s script is insanely brilliant. Riddled with shockingly ingenious and occasionally breathtaking (and, depending upon your perspective, offensive) twists, it is nigh-on impossible to describe the plot without spoiling any number of gags. And the gags are just so perfectly delivered, with tantalising build-ups leading to eye-watering punchlines.

 

Be assured that not only is the script first-rate, but the brilliant Park is supported by the equally gifted Giles Terera as Mary's Husband, Dino Fetscher as Mary’s Teacher, Kate O’Donnell as Mary’s Chaperone and last but certainly not least, Oliver Stockley as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant.

 

Sam Pinkleton who directed the Tony-winning show on Broadway has flown over to recreate a fusion of dialog and physical comedy that is sheer theatrical hilarity - all rehearsed immaculately and delivered with pinpoint accuracy and timing.

 

Oh, Mary! is the funniest new writing in town.

Runs until 25th April 2026

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan