Opening on Jan 23, 2026
Mrs. President at Charing Cross Theatre reintroduces Mary Lincoln at the height of public suspicion, grief, and political isolation. Set in the years following Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, it follows her tense collaboration with photographer Matthew Brady as she attempts to repair a damaged public image. The play examines legacy, reputation, and the pressure placed on women to survive public outrage. With Keala Settle leading the cast and direction from Bronagh Lagan, the play offers a clear, unsentimental look at how a nation and its icons shape each other.
Set in post-Civil War America, Mrs. President follows Mary Lincoln as she tries to reclaim control of a public narrative turning against her. Working with photographer Matthew Brady, she battles political rumour, grief, and a press eager to define her. The play explores loyalty, image-making, and the emotional cost of being a national symbol. As power shifts around her, Mary must decide what truth she wants preserved. Whether the nation is ready to hear it remains uncertain.
Show timings for Mrs. President may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Built in 1910, Charing Cross Theatre is an intimate Victorian venue known for actor-focused productions. Built under the railway arches near Embankment, it has hosted acclaimed runs of Titanic the Musical, From Here to Eternity, Allegiance, and Glory Ride. Its thrust-style staging and close audience proximity make it a natural home for character-driven plays where nuance and detail are central to the experience.
The Charing Cross Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
Available facilities: restrooms, bar, air conditioning
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible, wheelchair spaces available, guide dogs allowed, accessible restrooms
The cost of the tickets starts from £18.75 and will vary depending on the type of seats you choose.
The play does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 12 years and above. It contains depictions of, or references to, attempted suicide, racism, slavery, child loss, and mental illness, as well as gunshots and flashing lights.
The show is playing at the Charing Cross Theatre in London.
It explores Mary Lincoln’s struggle to control her public image after years of scrutiny and grief, focusing on her partnership with photographer Matthew Brady.
The running time of the play is 1 hour and 30 minutes with no intermission.
Yes. The play references the political climate after his assassination and how Mary Lincoln’s public image shifted in response.
Legacy, grief, power, public perception, and how women in history are framed by male-dominated narratives.
No. This is an original stage work, though it draws on the same documented history depicted in films and biographies.
He shaped public political imagery in 19th-century America and photographed Abraham Lincoln extensively, making him central to Mary Lincoln’s public legacy.