We take a look at what is being said about this new production of John Ransom Phillips’s play about Mary Todd Lincoln.
Broadway World: “The potential is there, but the premise is muddled, and despite director Bronagh Lagan’s best efforts, scenes feel devoid of emotion where we should be empathetic to Mary’s grief.”
All That Dazzles: “Keala Settle takes a break from her usual roles in musicals to deliver an impressively dramatic performance, full of emotion and vulnerability. Settle is an accomplished actor and manages a solid turn as Mary Todd Lincoln, but even her best abilities can’t cover up the problems in the source material.”
London Theatre.co.uk: “It is an attractive production: Anna Kelsey’s eye-catching set surrounds the proscenium arch with a picture frame, encircling Brady’s studio, walls lined with his work. Matt Powell’s projections are inventive and add depth and visual interest to the dreamlike sequences. But while Mary Todd Lincoln is a dramatic subject with huge potential to explore, alas in this play she remains out of focus, like a poorly taken photograph.”
London Pub Theatres Magazine: “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.”
The Reviews Hub: “the overall acting by Settle and Fowler is a joy to watch. They truly become their characters and portray the power dynamic between them. Fowler portrays Brady as a man wrapped in his own greatness and, to a degree, is the maestro behind Lincoln, not only becoming President, but also part of the latter’s assassination. The play only connects this further when they reproduce Mrs Lincoln sitting next to her husband as Brady comes from behind and shoots Lincoln.”
Theatre & Tonic: “Writer John Ransom Phillips, originally an artist, has delivered a script that doesn’t allow for any real character development or subtlety in performance. His programme notes are as confusing as a lot of the plot, he doesn’t seem able to fully articulate the story that he wants to tell. We move through a series of encounters between Mary and Grady – a lot of ideas are floated but with no clear resolution. We touch on significant tragedies in her life but it’s all a little overshadowed by the rather self-indulgent writing.”
Jonathan Baz Reviews: “Keala Settle’s work alone is worth the price of admission, even if Ransom Phillips’s script does not match her excellence. But if the writer can truly access the minds of America’s First Ladies, I can’t wait to see his take on Jill Biden.”
WhatsOnStage: “Despite the compelling performances and strong design elements, the writing could benefit from a sharper focus here. There is potential and an interesting discussion to be had about Mary Todd Lincoln’s legacy and what she represents, but it isn’t quite there yet.”
Time Out: “Big declarations about legacy and reclamation feel overworked and, ultimately, a little boring. Again, it’s a shame, because the questions Mrs President raises are important ones with genuine contemporary resonance: Britney Spears’ conservatorship only ended in 2021, and the media can still be just as cruel and illusory. The play captures this occasionally, but not consistently enough to fully compel its audience. “
London Theatre 1: “This is another play about US politics that a British audience may not be very familiar with. A prospective theatre-goer with only a general understanding of the era (like me!) may benefit from a little light research on Mary Todd Lincoln before attending. Was she really the unlikable character the media of the time claimed, or does she deserve to have her reputation reclaimed? Although it is a little uneven, this play is going to leave you with a lot to think about.”
West End Best Friend: “Despite a very strong cast and inventive staging, Mrs President misses the opportunity to really explore identity, feminism, and mental health, never really capturing any depth of emotion.”
The Spy in the Stalls: “This complexity makes Mrs President exciting and compelling to watch, but not straightforward. I did a bit of background reading before coming to the show and some familiarity with Mary Todd Lincoln’s story definitely enhances appreciation of the nuances. In the end, as written and probably intended, the underlying question was never really answered. Just who was Mary Todd Lincoln? We are left wondering whether she even knew herself – and whether a photograph could ever show her, even if she did?”
To book tickets visit: https://charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/mrs-president-2026