In the bustling heart of London's West End, a second theatrical production delving into the life of Mary Todd Lincoln, the beleaguered wife of Abraham Lincoln, has arrived at the Charing Cross Theatre in Covent Garden. Titled Mrs President, this play by Nina Culley, running from 28 January to 8 March 2026, aims to rewrite the historical narrative of a woman often reduced to a 'mad widow' footnote. However, despite its noble intentions, the production emerges as dour and thin, struggling to fully captivate its audience.
A Troubled Historical Figure Revisited
Mary Todd Lincoln's story is one of profound tragedy and resilience. As the spouse of one of America's most mythologised presidents, she endured the deaths of three of her four children, faced public vilification, financial ruin, and was eventually institutionalised by her own son. Her legacy has been overshadowed by absurdist portrayals, such as in the Broadway hit Oh, Mary!, making her a ripe subject for reclamation. Mrs President, first staged in 2025 and now revived with further dramaturgical development, seeks to give her voice back, but the execution leaves much to be desired.
Staging and Performances
Directed by Bronagh Lagan, the play features Keala Settle, known for her role in The Greatest Showman, as Mary Todd Lincoln. Settle enters the stage in a floral pink frock, a nod to Mary's iconic fashion sense, standing out against Anna Kelsey's swampy green set design. She is joined by Hal Fowler, who portrays Mathew Brady, the famed Civil War photographer dubbed the 'father of photojournalism'. Brady's mission is to capture the 'real' Mary, but his artistic pursuit quickly turns manipulative, as he coaxes trauma from her for the sake of a perfect shot.
Settle delivers a dazzling performance when portraying Mary's anguish, her emotional depth shining through in moments of grief and flashbacks to traumatic events, such as the night at Ford's Theatre. In contrast, Fowler's character often fades into the background, despite the play being a two-hander, which undermines the dynamic between them. The production incorporates disorienting elements like gothic projections, bird imagery, and piano interludes by Eamonn O'Dwyer, creating a melancholic atmosphere that, while fitting, becomes overwhelmingly depressing without sufficient levity.
Narrative Shortcomings
Where Mrs President falters is in its repetitive exploration of central themes. The play revisits ideas of authorship, image-making, and the historical silencing of women at the expense of character development and narrative momentum. Big declarations about legacy and reclamation feel overworked and, ultimately, a little boring, failing to sustain audience engagement throughout its 1 hour and 30-minute runtime.
This is a particular shame because the questions the play raises are undeniably important and resonate with contemporary issues, such as the media's cruel portrayal of women and cases like Britney Spears' conservatorship. While Mrs President occasionally captures this relevance, it does so inconsistently, missing opportunities to fully compel viewers with a more nuanced and dynamic storyline.
Practical Details for Theatregoers
For those interested in attending, Mrs President is showing at the Charing Cross Theatre, located at 3 The Arches, Villiers St, London WC2N 6NL, with easy access via the Charing Cross Tube station. Ticket prices range from £24.50 to £54.50, and performances are scheduled on various dates, including evening shows and matinees, from late January through early March 2026. Despite its flaws, the play offers a thought-provoking, if sombre, look at a complex historical figure, making it a potential draw for drama enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
