With The Possible Exception of Abraham Lincoln –Greenside @ George Street

2026 – we are experiencing a change in the world order.  The United States of America were always thought of as the good guys, joining with their allies to promote democracy, and fighting against regimes who bring terror to our shores.  In 2016, Donald J Trump won the election to be President of the US, and it would be fair to say that the thought that he would become President was unexpected.  Most people laughed it off as being absurd, but here we are in 2026, two years into his second Presidency, and the absurd is now the world’s normal.

The idea for the play came to writer David Chocron from the lips of Donald Trump himself.  During his battle to win a second term in 2020, at a press conference Trump said, ‘I’ve done more for Black Americans than anybody, with the possible exception of Abraham Lincoln’.  Even Trump could not set himself morally higher than Lincoln, who played a large part in ending slavery, with the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, and who supported the ratification of the 13^th amendment. 

Running with this idea, and seeing Trump viewed as being incompetent by many, Chocron has written a play with his interpretation of what Trump would say if a man with Abraham Lincoln’s morals, a man who is revered by his nation, and history, were to challenge him on his administration’s policies.

The play is set in the Lincoln Bedroom in 2020, when Trump cannot sleep, his security detail bring him a KFC night-time snack Being such a high-profile subject, Mark Coleman (Trump) only needs to lean towards playing Trump’s well-known characteristics for him to become a familiar figure – I can feel my heckles rise, so both the script and actor are doing their job.  Providing Trump with a moral adviser is interesting, this juxtaposition with his security man stands as a yardstick of how a person with human morals and dignity, compares to a man who just hates to lose. 

With news reels playing in the background to give context to the era that the play is set, the familiarity of Coleman’s characterisation of Trump are on point, but Jason Nemor Harden plays the Illinois Lawyer/security man with gravitas.  This role has to be played straight, otherwise Trump’s absurdities do not look quite so exaggerated.  This detail has been written superbly by Chocron, who also directs the play.

This play is so on point!  If your interests lie in politics, then this is well worth a visit whilst it is playing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The play runs until the 29^th August (not 23^rd) at 4.10pm at Forest Theatre at Greenside @ George Street.  To buy tickets go to – https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/with-the-possible-exception-of-abraham-lincoln

Reviewer: Caroline Worswick

Reviewed: 17^th August 2026

North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating: