A Broadway smash hit has failed to replicate its success on the London stage, according to a new review. Cole Escola's play 'Oh, Mary!', which imagines the life of Abraham Lincoln's wife in the days before his assassination, has opened to a tepid reception in the West End.
A Transatlantic Divide in Tastes
The production, which triumphed in New York and won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, appears to be a clear case of differing tastes between audiences. While the trend of historical revisionism has found huge popularity through shows like Hamilton and Six, this particular comic take has not translated well.
The review suggests the play's humour, which relies heavily on physical slapstick and jokes about sexual identity, feels tailored for American sensibilities. The portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln as a profoundly unhappy alcoholic in a toxic marriage, who yearns for her acting instructor, is packed with gags that often feel crude and underdeveloped.
Problematic Portrayals and Missed Opportunities
Criticism is levelled at the show's handling of LGBTQ themes. While it leans heavily into queer culture, the humour sometimes risks reducing its characters to stereotypes, with the apparent punchline being 'look at these silly gay people'. This approach, described as queer comedy written for a largely straight Broadway mainstream, is seen to lack the necessary nuance for a UK audience.
Despite this, the production is not without merit. The review acknowledges four or five genuinely hilarious lines delivered to perfection, and the energetic direction by Sam Pinkleton is led by a capable cast. Mason Alexander Park takes the titular role, supported by Giles Terera, famous for originating the role of Aaron Burr in the West End production of Hamilton.
A One-Note Story Struggles to Captivate
The core issue identified is the show's thin premise. It feels like a single comedic idea about repressed sexuality stretched into a full-length narrative, resulting in a fairly linear and one-note story that fails to consistently capture the imagination. The rare moments of brilliance are not enough to elevate the overall experience.
'Oh, Mary!' is playing at London's Trafalgar Studios until 25 April 2026. While it carries the prestige of its Tony Award, this West End run demonstrates that critical and popular success on one side of the Atlantic does not guarantee a warm welcome on the other.
