Irish-American comedian Leigh Douglas is bringing her Edinburgh Fringe hit ROTUS: Receptionist of the United States to London’s Park Theatre in January 2026.
The comedian plays Chastity Quirke – White House receptionist (Receptionist Of The United States), ex-sorority chapter president, and staunch Republican – as she navigates a sudden political and personal reckoning. Fiercely loyal to the President and determined to rise through the ranks, Chastity’s blind faith in the system begins to falter as she’s forced to confront the consequences of her unwavering allegiance.
The play was inspired in part by real-life figures, including Cassidy Hutchinson, the former aide to President Trump’s White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who testified against the president regarding the January 6 Capitol attack. Other influences include former Trump staffers Alyssa Farah and Sarah Matthews, with echoes of current press secretary Karoline Leavitt in Chastity’s most strident moments.
Against a timely backdrop of “trad wives” and “pick me patriotism,” ROTUS seeks to interrogate the pressures, contradictions and moral consequences faced by young women operating within hardline conservative politics, particularly the role white women have played in upholding patriarchal power structures. While the story is fictional, it draws heavily on the lived experiences of real women, weaving together stand-up, theatre, and cabaret to paint a portrait of a woman caught between loyalty, ambition, and conscience.
On stage, Douglas charts Chastity’s internal journey from blind allegiance to reluctant self-awareness, touching themes of identity, complicity and the courage it takes to confront uncomfortable truths. Her identity as a lesbian and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights also informs the show’s narrative of acceptance, humanity and standing up for what’s right.
The show is directed by Fiona Kingwill, with original music by American musical comedian Sarah Hester Ross.
ROTUS: Receptionist Of The United States plays Park Theatre from January 20 – February 7, 2026. Tickets here.