Robert Moses, New York’s ‘master builder’ of the mid-20th century is the subject of Straight Line Crazy. Moses spent an impressive four decades as one of the most powerful and influential figures in the state, despite never being elected to office. ‘I Did It My Way’ pretty much sums up the polarising figure’s ability to go against the grain while achieving hugely impactful results: he created parks and built bridges, as well as 627 miles of expressway to help New Yorkers reach the great outdoors. But understandably, many were riled by the dramatic changes to their landscape brought about by one man working undemocratically.
Left to right: David Hare, Nicholas Hytner and Ralph Fiennes
Rarely does a year pass without the premiere of a new Hare play. Since his 1970 debut with feminism-championing Slag, the prolific playwright has tackled a wealth of subject matter within his work, from the history of the Labour party (I’m Not Running) to the making of the Royal Opera House (The Moderate Soprano). Prior to Beat the Devil, Hare’s recent years have been largely dedicated to adaptations, with Chekhov’s The Seagull and Georges Simenon’s La Main (The Red Barn) both used as source material.
It’s been a bountiful few years for Fiennes, too, who comes to Straight Line Crazy off the back of performing in his own adaptation of TS Eliot’s Four Quartets, which opened at the Theatre Royal Bath before playing at the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre.
Straight Line Crazy opens at the Bridge following Nicholas Hytner’s delayed production of Philip Pullman’s The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage, shifted from the summer of 2020 because of the pandemic. Straight Line Crazy reunites Hytner with Olivier and Tony-winning designer Bob Crowley, whom he previously collaborated with on operas The Magic Flute for English National Opera and La Traviata at the Royal Opera House.
Further casting for Straight Line Crazy is yet to be announced.
| What | Straight Line Crazy, Bridge Theatre |
| Where | Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG | MAP |
| Nearest tube | London Bridge (underground) |
| When |
16 Mar 22 – 18 Jun 22, Performances at 19:30pm with additional 2:30pm matinees |
| Price | £15 - £80 |
| Website | Click here for more information and to book |
