Mrs President

Review by Jude

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Delve into the story of one of history’s most misunderstood political figures, Mary Todd Lincoln, with the world premiere of Mrs. President at Charing Cross Theatre.

The play explores the complex effort to rebuild First Lady Mary Lincoln’s reputation. Seeking the help of renowned photographer Mathew Brady - who had previously assisted her husband, Abraham Lincol - Mary fights against America’s perception, Mr Brady and her own inner battles to reclaim her narrative through a new portrait.

This is a powerful examination of a woman once relegated to the background, bringing Mary Lincoln into the spotlight as she finds her voice, asserts her agency, and reclaims the power that was once stripped away. She struggles to control her own image and identity - an issue that continues to resonate with women today.

Miriam Grace Edwards delivers a phenomenal performance as ‘the most hated First Lady in American history’, delving into the mind of who Mary may have been beyond the reputation that history has assigned to her. Edwards' performance as Mary was chilling, empathetic, and captivating. Sam Jenkins-Shaw portrays the famed photographer Mathew Brady with equal depth and complexity.

This thought-provoking play examines a woman’s desperate attempt to take control of her own image while being moulded into a certain vision by a male artist. It offers an intimate look at Mary beyond the historical labels- ‘excessive spender’, ‘crazy’, ‘committed to an asylum by her own son’ - exploring her grief, her psychological struggles, and her love from her perspective. Having some prior knowledge of Mary Todd Lincoln’s life and why she was so disliked is advisable (also check content warnings) as the play quickly immerses the audience into this specific snapshot of her story without much exposition.The abstract sequences and personification of inanimate objects were unexpected—initially jarring, but ultimately effective—adding a compelling layer of complexity to the narrative.

The show prompts deeper reflection: Who are we? And who decides that? Society? Our friends? Family? The media? Or ourselves?