Lolly Adefope is starring in Oh, Mary! in London’s West End, with audiences able to see her in the leading role until 5th December 2026.
The Olivier Award-winning production has also extended its wider run until 5th June 2027, with other performers taking over after Adefope’s season ends.
Written by Cole Escola and directed by Sam Pinkleton, the play takes a deliberately irreverent look at Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. It imagines a private world in which the former First Lady’s frustrations, desires and unfulfilled ambitions take centre stage.
An unconventional look at Mary Todd Lincoln
The Mary of Escola’s play is unhappy, restless and feeling trapped. Unrequited yearning, drinking and suppressed desires shape a story that turns its historical setting into the backdrop for an outrageous comedy.
Rather than presenting a conventional account of the former First Lady’s life, Oh, Mary! offers a fictional reimagining. Mary’s frustrations drive the action, placing her ambitions at the centre of a story usually dominated by her husband.
Audiences are invited into an absurd version of the Lincoln household, where historical reverence gives way to personal disappointments, unruly behaviour and dark humour. The setting may be familiar, but the play’s approach is anything but restrained.
The production’s description captures that spirit by promising to examine Mrs Lincoln’s forgotten life and dreams “through the lens of an idiot” — Escola’s tongue-in-cheek assessment of their own perspective as the playwright.
For Adefope, the role places her at the centre of a comedy built around a woman who is frustrated by her circumstances and determined to pursue her own desires.
Success on Broadway and in London
Oh, Mary! has earned recognition on both sides of the Atlantic. Its Broadway production received Tony Awards for Best Leading Actor in a Play for Escola and Best Direction of a Play for Pinkleton.
In London, it won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play. The extension into June 2027 continues the production’s West End run beyond Adefope’s limited season.
Critics have highlighted the show’s anarchic humour. Afridiziak described it as “outrageously funny” and “a gleefully anarchic breath of fresh air”, while The New York Times called it “one of the best comedies in years”.
Variety’s verdict was more succinct: “Believe the hype!”
The responses reflect a production that treats its subject with deliberate comic freedom. Its historical characters provide the starting point for a dark comedy, rather than a faithful retelling of events.
A limited season with Lolly Adefope
Adefope began her season as Mary on 28th September and will continue until 5th December 2026. Her appearance gives theatregoers an opportunity to see her interpretation of the central character before the role passes to another performer.
Jane Krakowski is scheduled to take over from 7th December 2026 until 16th January 2027.
Although the production is booking into next summer, audiences hoping to see Adefope should choose a performance within her remaining dates. The extension applies to the production as a whole and does not extend her time in the cast.
Listing information
Production: Oh, Mary!
Venue: Trafalgar Theatre, London
Lolly Adefope’s performances: Until 5th December 2026
Production booking until: 5th June 2027
Written by: Cole Escola
Directed by: Sam Pinkleton
Booking note: To see Lolly Adefope, select a performance up to and including 5th December 2026. Later performances feature other actors in the role of Mary Todd Lincoln.