With the Possible Exception Abraham Lincoln
at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
7 - 29 August, at Forest Theatre, Greenside @ George Street in the heart of Edinburgh.
with
MARK COLEMAN as DONALD TRUMP – JASON NEMOR HARDEN as the ILLINOIS LAWYER
Written and Directed by DAVID CHOCRON
ONE OF THE TOP 5 POLITICAL SHOWS AT THE FRINGE - theatremuseuk.org
“What happens when one of America’s most famous presidents meets another in the middle of an election crisis? With the Possible Exception of Abraham Lincoln takes that wonderfully unlikely premise and turns it into a sharp, often funny exploration of performance, power and the stories people tell themselves.
from the four-star review in thenerdparty.com . Full review here
It’s a fantastic two-hander, performed wonderfully by a pair of actors who bounce off each other’s energy brilliantly. Mark Coleman plays Trump with an almost uncanny ease. What’s more, it’s a subtle performance, never slipping into caricature, even as he uses the familiar gestures and vocalisations
from the four-star review in British Theatre Guide . Full review here
“GO SEE THIS. Mark Coleman has Trump off to a T vocally and physically and, although we don’t know what to expect from Lincoln, Jason Nemor Harden’s cool and measured performance did it for me. Contrasting the braggart with the thinker is always a neat idea, and Trump is exposed as the low life he is who doesn’t care for the people who vote for him; as Lincoln pushes him at every step of the way it’s clear he only cares about winning. The play is well written and witty. Will Trump reflect and move on…? Well, you know how it ends, but getting there is a real treat.
Audience review by Alister Cairns
Exceptional show, noted by exceptional casting and acting,. Sharply written dialogue, which poignantly captures the true essence of this powerful creative and most interesting encounter between Trump an HONEST Abe Lincoln
Audience review by Heather E. Halperin
Firstly it’s so refreshing to see an actor play Trump as the monster he is and not just for comedy. The dialogue and acting in this play is so sharp. The references to WWE may sound comedic but they’re horrifyingly accurate and show a potential insight into Trumps juvenile mind. The actor who played Lincoln was excellent and had an incredible voice. Great show.
Audience review by Jamie Steward
This is such a clever dialogue that did not descend into farce. There's a dark moment when you realise how The Dream has been forsaken for one man's hubris and the contempt he feels for his fellow citizens. You leave wondering what might have been and how we got here. It also has some terribly funny asides. Go and see it.
Audience review by Richard Johns
“This entertaining and imaginative two-hander features a sparkling script and engaging, professional performances. The characters play out an imagined conversation between Donald J Trump and the figure of Abraham Lincoln (ghost or conscience?) at the brink of the result of the 2020 Presidential election. Politically astute, and never obvious, David Chocron’s thought-provoking writing and the nuanced acting by Mark Coleman (Trump) and Jason Nemor (Lincoln) avoids easy stereotyping of their respective characters. The play achieves a satisfying blend of serious message and levity; specific and global concerns; and ends with a surprisingly positive message. Incidentally, the play’s title is based on an actual quote by President Trump heard by the playwright. And both characters do indeed have an association with wrestling, although not quite in the manner portrayed in the show. Highly recommended!
Audience review
ACCLAIMED AS ONE OF THE TOP POLITCAL THEATRE PIECES AT THE 2026 EDINBURGH FRINGE
“Great: Go see it! **** We all know the difference between Lincoln and Trump, but this play makes you feel it – risibly and darkly. How we sniggered at Mark Coleman’s Trump whose every fussy gesture captured the Clown in the White House. Then came Jason Nemar Harden’s Lincoln, all poise and beauty of voice, respectfully trying to master his bemusement at Coleman’s delusional Trump, his successor in office some 140 years later. Writer and Director David Chocon deployed a screen behind the actors carrying quotations from Lincoln’s speeches. As the words” the better Angels of our nature” appeared, my eyes momentarily watered. With what lightness of touch the true horror that is Trump was conveyed – and with what brave delight the folly of human nature was exposed. This was real Satire at its best: Go see it!
Audience review by Keverne Smith
ONE OF THE BEST POLITICAL THEATRE SHOWS AT THE 2026 EDINBURGH FRINGE
For interviews and more information, please contact
Christopher Spring +44 7825 279574
chris@christopher-spring.com