The Story of Oh, Mary!
Oh, Mary! is a dark comedy that reimagines Mary Todd Lincoln as you've never seen her before—a miserable, suffocated woman in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln's assassination. This isn't your history textbook's version of events.
A Radical Reimagining
In Cole Escola's hilariously anachronistic vision, Mary Todd Lincoln is a temperamental alcoholic, trapped in an unhappy marriage with the deeply closeted President Lincoln. She's desperate to return to her past glory days as a cabaret star—yes, you read that right. Described as a "well-known niche cabaret legend" beloved for her "short legs and long medleys," Mary is hell-bent on performing while completely oblivious to the Civil War raging around her.
The Premise
Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in this 80-minute one-act play. Mary storms through the White House in a fury, hunting for hidden bottles, clashing with her long-suffering husband, and pursuing her dream of cabaret stardom against all odds. The play examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln "through the lens of an idiot" (playwright Cole Escola's own description).
Why It Works
Beneath the campy exterior and outrageous humor lies a surprisingly poignant exploration of a woman whose ambitions and identity were suppressed by her role and circumstances. Director Sam Pinkleton's breakneck pacing allows the best jokes to harvest their laughter while ensuring even lesser gags never land with a thud. The result is 80 minutes of non-stop hilarity that also manages to be sneakily moving.
Key Themes
- Suppressed Identity - A woman trapped by societal expectations and unable to pursue her true passions
- Queer History - A boldly queer reimagining that explores hidden desires and closeted identities in American history
- Ambition vs. Reality - The gulf between who we want to be and who circumstances force us to become
- Camp and Satire - Using irreverent humor to expose deeper truths about power, marriage, and self-expression
- Historical Revision - Reclaiming forgotten stories and imagining alternative narratives for overlooked historical figures
- Marriage and Misery - The claustrophobic reality of an unhappy union and mutual resentment
Contemporary Relevance: Despite its historical setting, Oh, Mary! resonates powerfully with modern audiences through its exploration of identity, authenticity, and the courage to be yourself in the face of societal pressure. It's a play that uses the past to illuminate the present with wit, wisdom, and wildly inappropriate humor.
Practical Information
Show Times
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 7:30pm
- Thursday: 5:30pm & 8:45pm
- Saturday: 3:30pm & 7:30pm
- Note: Performance schedule varies through Christmas period
Getting There
- Underground: Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District, Northern) - 3 mins walk
- Underground: Charing Cross (Bakerloo, Northern) - 3 mins walk
- Buses: 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 88, 91, 159, 453
- Santander Cycles: Docking stations on Craven Street, Northumberland Avenue, Whitehall Place
Theatre Information
- Prime location on Whitehall, next to Trafalgar Square
- Short walk from St James's Park and Buckingham Palace
- Capacity: 650 seats
- Accessible seating available
- Air conditioning throughout
- Bar and facilities available
Age Guidance
Recommended for ages 14+ due to adult themes, strong language, and mature humor throughout. The production includes water-based haze effects and a single gunshot sound effect. Not suitable for younger children due to the nature of the comedy and adult content.
Running Time
1 hour 20 minutes with no interval. The show runs straight through, maintaining its breakneck comedic pace from start to finish.
