West End vs Broadway: Oh, Mary! – Mason Alexander Park and John Cameron Mitchell talk First Ladies, Hedwigs, fame and more

Welcome to our latest edition of “West End vs Broadway” – a series in collaboration with our New York sister site TheaterMania in which we pair up two leading actors, who are playing the same role at the same time on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

And for the first time in the series, two First Ladies are set to participate. Well, kind of… The West End’s Mason Alexander Park and Broadway’s John Cameron Mitchell are currently portraying a raucous interpretation of Mary Todd Lincoln at the Trafalgar Theatre and Lyceum Theatre, respectively, in the laugh-out-loud comedy Oh, Mary!

The duo have known each other for around a decade and, after Park slipped into Mitchell’s creation Hedwig’s high heels and after both appeared in the hit Netflix series The Sandman, they join us to chat about their similar paths and ideas for the future.

Watch the full episode below:

Written by Tony Award winner Cole Escola, Oh, Mary! was hailed as “80 minutes of perfectly judged silliness” by WhatsOnStage’s Sarah Crompton in her glowing review.

The West End premiere cast also currently features Giles Terera as Mary’s Husband, Dino Fetscher as Mary’s Teacher, Kate O’Donnell as Mary’s Chaperone, and Oliver Stockley as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant.

As recently revealed, Catherine Tate is set to take over the role of Mary Todd Lincoln in the show from 27 April, with Scott Karim joining as Mary’s Husband from 16 March.

Directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary! first opened to great acclaim on Broadway in 2024.

A historically dubious wartime comedy, the piece revolves around bored alcoholic housewife Mary Todd Lincoln, who pines for the cabaret stage but is constantly undermined by her closeted, homosexual husband, who also just happens to be the President of the United States.

The creative team includes scenic designer dots, costume designer Holly Pierson, lighting designer Cha See, sound designer and composer Daniel Kluger, sound designer Drew Levy, wig designer Leah J Loukas, props supervisor Addison Heeren, and arranger David Dabbon. Casting is by Stuart Burt.

The West End production of Oh, Mary! is now booking through to 18 July 2026, with tickets on sale below.