Dani Moseley as Carol Amis in Straight Line Crazy at the Bridge Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan.In common with 99% of the population, you are probably unfamiliar with Robert Moses, (Ralph Fiennes) who became something of a legend in mid-20th century American urban planning — notably spending decades levelling tenement buildings all over New York and linking the sprawling metropolis by means of Expressways to alleviate the scourge of traffic jams. But as we learn, his career-long obsession with the freedom and independence afforded to families by ownership of the motor car, blinkered his understanding of the need for railways and buses in mass transit systems for those too poor to own their own vehicles. By the 1960s, his forceful bullying and unapologetic methodologies in driving through City Hall projects, had turned him into a hate figure for many, despite the 20,000 acres of parkland, public beaches, 658 playgrounds, 7 major bridges, the UN Building, Lincoln Center arts complex and even Central Park Zoo, which he had created through sheer bludgeoning determination.
Long-suffering office juniors Ariel Porter (Samuel Barnett) and Finnuala Connell (Siobhán Cullen) attempt to pierce their boss’ steely carapace and moderate his determined, unapologetic and sometimes illegal approach to getting things done, but with virtually no success. It is only when Danny Webb takes to the stage as cigar-smoking, moonshine-swilling Governor Al Smith that the exchanges with Moses ratchet-up and imbue some energy into proceedings in Nicholas Hytner’s otherwise oddly flat production. Ever dependable Bob Crowley has produced a clean-lined and serviceable set design of portable draughtsman desks and tables, which are liberally covered in blueprints, mock-ups and artistic impressions based on the man’s work.
Considering the phenomenal impact he had in developing the infrastructure integral to the modern United States, it’s disappointing that Robert Moses wasn’t a more likeable (or even especially interesting) subject for Fiennes to sink his teeth into. An actor of such calibre deserves better material — (a sentence which frankly, this reviewer never believed he would have cause to write about a David Hare play).
Straight Line Crazy is playing at the Bridge Theatre until 18 June 2022.
Guy Paul (Henry Vanderbilt) and Ralph Fiennes (Robert Moses) in Straight Line Crazy at the Bridge Theatre. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
