The Charing Cross Theatre has offered a poignant first glimpse into the rehearsal room for the highly anticipated psychological drama, Mrs. President. Broadway icon Keala Settle, beloved for her powerhouse vocals in The Greatest Showman and Waitress, is set to take on the titular role of Mary Lincoln in a performance that marks a significant departure from her musical roots.
A Striking Reinvention
Opening on 23 January 2026, this production is far more than a simple remount of the 2025 staging. Re-envisioned by director Bronagh Lagan (the Olivier-nominated creative behind Cruise), this iteration is described as a "reinvention"—a sharper, more haunting exploration of America’s most misunderstood First Lady.
The play finds Mary Lincoln in the traumatic wake of 1865. Following the assassination of her husband, Abraham Lincoln, Mary is a woman under siege, battling intense grief and a vilifying media. In a quest to reclaim her public image, she turns to Mathew Brady—the forefather of photojournalism—played by West End veteran Hal Fowler (Les Misérables).
A Non-Singing Tour de Force
For Settle, the role is a rare opportunity to showcase her dramatic depth in a non-singing capacity.
"I was so struck by Mary’s story and by the profound human cost she endured," Settle shared. "She was a woman whose identity for centuries was put in a box. I hope audiences will see both myself and Mary in a brand-new light."
Playwright John Ransom Phillips emphasizes that the play aims to restore the truth to a woman history has often denied. To complement the theatrical run, Phillips will also debut a UK exhibition of his paintings, Mary Lincoln and Frida Kahlo UNFRAMED, at the nearby Royal Watercolour Society from 30 January.
Performance Details
Venue: Charing Cross Theatre, London
Dates: 23 January – 8 March 2026
Press Night: 27 January 2026
Cast: Keala Settle and Hal Fowler
As the production prepares to open, Mrs. President promises to be a resonant study of the resilience required to endure the spotlight of leadership.
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
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