Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! bursts into the West End like an uncontrollable hurricane, offering s wrecking ball approach to the ‘story’ of Mary Todd Lincoln, former First Lady of the USA.
Irreverence, slapstick, and a succession of situations presented through the naughtiest of lenses characterises Escola’s approach. Skirts are lifted, Shakespeare is mangled.
London’s Mary is Mason Alexander Park, who rushes around, emotes wildly, and behaves badly. This Mary is a foul-mouthed drunk, a former cabaret star who is bored in the White House.
It’s in no way a solo performance: Giles Terera is fun as Mary’s Husband; Dino Fetscher perfectly pitched as Mary’s Teacher; Kate O’Donnell and Oliver Stockley adding character colour as the Chaperone and Husband’s Assistant.
It’s Mary’s antics, lines, and pauses that make this. Vulgar, pointed, and deeply physical, Park’s Mary is a force of nature as you’ve never seen before, their grimaces, overplaying, and exits adding a twisted delight to proceedings.
Director Sam Pinkleton keeps the action moving thick and fast (although you may wish to note there is a short blackout between each scene). The ladies flounce and the gentlemen bounce in a choreographed dance of chaos.
From word gags, sight gags, and a bit of rude through a resolutely queer lens, Oh, Mary! doesn’t present a realistic picture of Mrs Lincoln in any way. It’s an absolute riot (and if you want dramatic Mary, pair it with Mrs President in the New Year).
Oh, Mary! was a big hit in the States, and is an unclassifiable, messy, and hilarious piece of theatre. I haven’t laughed so much since The Book of Mormon.
There are lots of surprises we can’t mention, but if broad comedy and pratfalls are for you (and it is panto season, after all), give this a go.
4 stars.
Oh, Mary! is booking to 25 Apr at Trafalgar Theatre – official show website.
Image credit: Manuel Harlsn