REVIEW: MRS. PRESIDENT by John Ransom Phillips at Charing Cross Theatre until 8 March 2026

‘a compelling insight into a sometimes neglected historical figure’ ★★★

I must confess that I didn’t know a great deal about Mary Todd Lincoln. Perhaps this is not uncommon. But maybe this will change soon in London with two plays on about her simultaneously, Oh, Mary at Trafalgar Theatre and this play, Mrs. President at Charring Cross Theatre.

John Ransom Phillips’ Mrs. President, reworked from an earlier version at the same theatre last year, imagines Lincoln’s multiple sittings with Mathew Brady (Hal Fowler), a portrait photographer well known for his photographs of Abraham Lincoln, Walt Whitman, and other notable nineteenth century Americans, as well as pioneering war photography during the American Civil War.

Keala Settle is excellent in the title role as Mary Todd Lincoln. Directed by Bronagh Lagan, ostensibly the play is about Mary’s wish to have a portrait taken by the star photographer, one that might help her popularity, which has been dented as a Southern woman in The White House during the civil war. But these encounters are used as a gateway in the play to explore the various challenges Mary faced in the period and the effect on her mental health.

The first part of the play is perhaps the most successful. We learn about both characters. As well as Mary’s challenges, Brady’s unique technique and the intriguing impact of his declining eyesight on his work is explored, subtly underpinned by lighting (Derek Anderson) and sound effects (Eamonn O’Dwyer). It feels like a classic two hander, where the characters draw out each other’s story across the piece. However, Mrs. President rejects this more conventional and predictable approach, with mixed results.

The play becomes a psychodrama about Mary and her mental health, and travels into her mind. The brutal conventions of the time means she is dismissed because she is a woman, resulting in her obvious trauma being neglected. And all this whilst the play also takes in the turbulent politics of the period. Yet the sheer number of stories and information can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Mrs. President provides a compelling insight into a sometimes neglected historical figure. The cast and production are excellent, but the play, even at 90 minutes, can feel too long and at times loses sight of its core story.

MRS. PRESIDENT written by John Ransom Phillips. Directed by Bronagh Lagan.

Produced by Art Pound Foundation

Playing at the Charring Cross Theatre 23 Jan - 8 March 2026

BOX OFFICE https://www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/