[title]
When Broadway comedy smash Oh, Mary! opened in the West End at Christmas, it did so with no celebrity names, just its own formidable reputation and a couple of very credible stage actors in the form of Mason Alexander Park as narcissistic First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, and Giles Terera as her sexually repressed husband Abraham Lincoln.
So far so good, but it’s hard to imagine Cole Escola’s smash having quite the longevity it’s had on Broadway without a little more celebrity sauce, where the likes of Tituss Burgess, Jinkx Monsoon and Jane Krakowski have played Mary since the departure of Escola themself.
Anyway, long story short, Brit comedy icon Catherine Tate will be the new Mary, taking over from Park April 27, and staying in the role until July 18, as the play extends in tandem. Terera already had an engagement at the Old Vic to co-star in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, so he’ll be leaving earlier (March 14), with his replacement stage actor Scott Karim starting a couple of days later and staying throughout Tate’s run.
Tate feels like perfect casting for a show that is clearly heavily influenced by old school ’70s British comedy; she’ll also clearly bring a completely different tone and energy to things than the younger, non-binary, American Park. Clearly she’s going to open Oh, Mary! up to a new audience; it also begs the question as to whether the show will – like Cabaret and 2:22 A Ghost Story – enjoy a long run on the basis of a series of ever juicier celeb stunt castings… which we’re very much into!
Oh, Mary! is at Trafalgar Theatre, booking until Jul 18. Buy tickets here.
The best new London theatre shows to book for in 2026.
Plus: BFI Flare has just revealed its massive line-up for 2026 – here are the best films to see.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.