Mary Todd Lincoln is an enigmatic character in American history, shrouded in an equal parts myth and tragedy. The much-criticised First Lady witnessed the assassination of her husband president Abraham Lincoln as well as losing three of her four children, with her fourth child controversially committing her to an insane asylum.
In John Ransom Phillips’s play Mrs President we see a different side to the infamous First Lady (played by Miriam Grace Edwards) as she poses for a series of portraits with esteemed photographer Matthew Brady (Sam Jenkins-Shaw), whose iconic photography of Abraham Lincoln reportedly helped him to secure the presidency.
As Mary strives to control her image through these photographs, whether that’s as a strong leader, doting mother, or a grieving wife, her increasing mania starts to seep into the frame — literally.
While the play begins as a relatively naturalistic two-hander, it soon takes a nosedive into the surreal featuring hallucinations of different characters within Mary’s life, as well as narration and existential questioning from an anthropomorphic chair and camera.
It’s a bold approach to telling Mary’s story, but director Bronagh Lagan keeps a tight hold of the reins to ensure the chaos stays grounded in truth, while Edwards brings a steely determination to the role even as her strong facade begins to shatter as she confronts her truth.
Jenkins-Shaw is equally captivating as the confident Brady, standing in as the personification of the control Mary is desperate to cling on to, as well playing the other figures conjured up by Mary’s deteriorating mind.
The impressively eerie visual effects aid Lagan in creating an unnerving ambience that thrums with dramatic tension as Mary descends further into psychosis.
Mrs President is a searing analysis of the inner conflict between the image we wish to create for ourselves versus the image others create for us. It offers a brutal and exposing portrait of loss and grief that captures one of America’s most notorious political figures in a whole new light.
Mrs President is at Charing Cross Theatre until 16th March. Buy tickets from: https://charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/mrs-president
Reviewer: Olivia Cox
Reviewed: 4th February 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Rating: 5 out of 5.
