The West End is set for an injection of glorious, unhinged comedy as the Tony Award-winning sensation Oh, Mary! prepares to open in London. After a blockbuster run in New York that drew comparisons to Hamilton, the play offers a wildly irreverent take on American history.
From Obscure Idea to Broadway Smash
The journey of Oh, Mary! is as unconventional as its premise. Playwright and star Cole Escola first conceived the idea in 2009 with a simple email to themselves, pondering whether Abraham Lincoln's assassination was such a bad thing for his wife. Escola deliberately avoided further research, aiming instead to create 'the stupidest, funniest thing possible'.
Their version of Mary Todd Lincoln is a far cry from the history books—a drunken, cabaret-obsessed first lady who despises her closeted husband in the final weeks before his assassination. The 80-minute, one-act play became a runaway success in New York, earning Tony Awards for Best Leading Actor and Best Director.
A Star-Studded Phenomenon and a New Mary for London
The New York production attracted a who's who of Hollywood and theatre, including Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, and Robert Downey Jr. Its success has sparked conversations about whether it could become a global pop culture phenomenon on the scale of Hamilton.
For the London transfer at the Trafalgar Theatre, the role of Mary passes from Escola to Mason Alexander Park. Park, known for their work in Jamie Lloyd's Shakespeare productions, described seeing the show on Broadway as one of the most incredible theatre experiences of their life. 'I thought, "If there's one thing I get to do in my lifetime, I would love for it to be this"', they said.
More Than Just Silliness: Representation and Resonance
While the play is fundamentally ridiculous, its creators and commentators note it has deeper resonance. Park identifies with Mary's desperation to be seen and to share her gifts, a universally relatable feeling. The play also marks a significant step for visibility, with Cole Escola becoming the first non-binary performer to win a Tony for Best Leading Actor.
Park emphasised the importance of this representation, stating, 'In this political climate, trans identities and non-binary identities are constantly up for debate... it feels special and powerful to be a visible trans performer.'
Historians like Professor Catherine Clinton, author of a Mary Lincoln biography, endorse the play for prompting a new look at a first lady who endured vicious attacks. Clinton notes that while the show is an unbelievable romp, authenticity is more important than strict accuracy.
As London audiences prepare to experience the show, the consensus is that Oh, Mary! offers a much-needed collective laugh in trying times. It joins a trend of well-crafted daftness in theatre, providing a joyful escape while quietly making history of its own.
