Keala Settle takes on the formidable role of Mrs President the wife of American President Abraham Lincoln. In Settle’s first non-singing production. With a strong stage presence, she highlights the battles of grief, mental illness and public disapproval that Mary Lincoln faced. Especially when her own son tried to have her committed for being “insane”.

The play is based inside Matthew Brady’s (Hal Fowler) photography studio as he attempts to capture the best side of Mrs President to relaunch her unfavourable public image. Although reading the history books it didn’t appear to work.

Although I was aware that the play is based on factual events it appears to be disjointed in some areas. Especially as it is documented that Mathew Brady had photographed Mrs Mary Lincoln between 1861 and 1865, which included her mourning period and the conversations that took place between Mathew and Mary appear to span a longer timeline and don’t necessarily make any sense.

Abraham Lincoln was a remarkable President and was cruelly assassinated in a theatre with his wife by his side. Hardly any surprise that she would have been deeply traumatised by this, although back in the late Eighteenth century mental health problems resulted in being locked up.

Settle brings out the madness and anger from the grief Mary was dealing with from the death of her mother when Mary was a child, the dislike of her Stepmother coupled with the death of her children.

The costumes by costume designer Megan Rarity and costume maker Sarah Juliet Costumes, place the style of her dresses in the late Eighteenth century with large whalebone petticoats to offer the fuller dress design and define her status as the first lady. However, the awkward practicality of these dresses can be witnessed when Settle sits in the chair a couple of times. I doubt this fashion of dresses will be making a comeback anytime soon.

This is now the third re-imagining of Mrs President with a completely different cast. Settle and Fowler have a strong rapport on stage and make the best of a not particularly strong script.

For more information about Mrs President and future productions at Charing Cross Theatre please use the link below.

Three Stars.

Photo credit Pamela Raith.

https://charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/mrs-president-2026

Written by John Ransom Phillips

Directed by Bronagh Lagan

Keala Settle is Mrs President.

Hal Fowler-Mathew Brady