Skip to main content
Login Basket: 0 | £ 0.00
Login Basket: 0 | £ 0.00

Straight Line Crazy

14 Mar – 18 Jun 2022

Overview of the production

Ralph Fiennes stars in David Hare’s blazing account of the life of a man whose iron will exposed the weakness of democracy in the face of charismatic conviction.

For forty uninterrupted years, Robert Moses was the most powerful man in New York. Though never elected to office, he manipulated those who were through a mix of guile, charm and intimidation.

Motivated at first by a determination to improve the lives of New York City’s workers, he created new parks, new bridges and 627 miles of expressway to connect the people to the great outdoors. But in the 1950s, groups of citizens at grass roots began to organize against his schemes and against the motor car, campaigning for a very different idea of what a city was and for what it should be.

“It’s a fascinating true story, and an intriguing parable about the nature of power and democracy”  – Time Out

“What I love about this subject… Is that I’m not giving a handle to the audience, saying: this is the correct way to look at Robert Moses. I hope you go out arguing about him.” – David Hare for The Daily Telegraph

“Ralph Fiennes enthrals as the man who shaped New York”

The Guardian ★★★★★

"Hare at his strongest"

The Observer ★★★★
The Sunday Times ★★★★
The Daily Mail ★★★★

General Information

Click here for content advice

Ticket prices
Mon – Thu evenings £15, £25, £42.50, £55, £72.50
Fri – Sat performances £15, £25, £45, £57.50, £75
Premium tickets £95
Prices may vary for preview performances and matinees

Download the TodayTix app to access exclusive £25 rush tickets

Performance schedule
Monday – Saturday: 7.30pm
Wednesdays & Saturdays: 2.30pm

Length
Approx 2hrs 30mins, including an interval

Access Performances 
Captioned: Tuesday 31 May 2022, 7.30pm
Audio described: Saturday 4 June 2022, 2.30pm

NT Live
This production will be streamed by NT Live on 26 May 2022. For more information head to straightlinecrazy.ntlive.com/synopsis/

We'd love to keep you up to date with our news and productions

Additional content

Top

Gallery

Production photos by Manuel Harlan
Production photos by Manuel Harlan
View all 14 images
Siobhán Cullen stands in the middle of the image. She's wearing a sharp wig styles in a bob, a patterned thin jumper with a long beaded necklace. She looks pensive with a small smile.
Alisha Bailey stands looking into the audience. She has a silk neck tie, short curls and pleated skirt.
Samuel Barnett stands as the focus of the image in a blue shirt and brown smart trousers. He stands behind a big table with deign plans atop them. In the background are presentation boards with other architectural plans on.
Alana Maria stands in the foreground, she has a tight curled wig, smart jacket and pleated skirt. She has her hands together in front of her and is smiling off into the distance. Behind her sit a row of people and above them a banner that reads Save Washington Square Park
Alisha Bailey stands by a desk, resting her hand on it. She has a silk neck tie, short curls and pleated skirt. She's in conversation with Siobhán Cullen who sits atop the table. In the background there's a 3d plan of New York city on a table.
A row of 7 people sit in wooden chairs in a line. They are dressed smartly in 60s fashion. One sits in a wheelchair. Behind them on the back wall is huge maps, architectural plans and a big banner.
Danny Webb is wearing a suit styled from the 20's including a smart hat and red silk bow tie. His hands are out as if signalling the number 10 and between 2 of his fingers is a cigar.
Ralph Fiennes stands with hands on his hips with his brows furrowed. He's wearing a white striped shirt, tie and braces.
Ian Kirby stands leaning on a wooden board that shows blueprints and maps. He is wearing a white striped shirt, braces and a tie. Danny Webb stands with a cigar between his fingers talking. He is wearing a pin striped waistcoat and red silk bow tie. In the background Al Coppola is watching Danny Webb. He wears a white shirt and braces.
Siobhán Cullen kneels on the floor, she is drawing in red pen on a huge map of New York which covers the floor. She's wearing a trench coat and is clenching her teeth.
Helen Schlesinger stands with her hands on her hips. She is wearing large glasses and a black long-sleeved top.
Ralph Fiennes looks pensive stood behind a 3D paper model of New York City, with sky scrappers and large buildings. He's wearing a dark suit and waistcoat and a red tie.
Guy Paul and Ralph Fiennes stand smiling at each other shaking hands. Both wear beige suits, Ralph carries a large leather bag and brown hat. In the background are two ornate red velvet chairs. David Bromley stands in the background watching, he is wearing a black suit and white gloves.
Straight Line Crazy trailer – click to watch
Straight Line Crazy trailer – click to watch
Play Video
Play Video
Behind the Scenes by Craig Sugden
Behind the Scenes by Craig Sugden
View all 43 images
Ralph Fiennes stands backstage, with darkness around him. His hands are on his hips and he looks at the floor. He's wearing a white striped shirt and beige trousers.
Alisha Bailey backstage, she wears a patterned scarf, white shirt and ornate gold earrings.
Ralph Fiennes in a shirt, trousers and braces opens his dressing room door.
A close up of the hangers on the costume rack. In focus'Ralph Fiennes, Robert Moses'.
Dani Mosely, David Bromley and Alana Maria stand in the dressing room corridor in costume, talking.
Raloh Fiennes leans out his dressing room smiling.
Samuel Barnett sits in his dressing room having his hair combed and gelled.
Danny Webb stands in the doorway of his dressing room, he looks directly at the camera and smiles.
Ralph Fiennes and Danny Webb embrace backstage.
Ian Kirkby sits at his dressing room table, he does his tie in the mirror.
Siobhán Cullen sits, she is having her wig fitted as she does her make up.
Siobhán Cullen sits doing her make up in the mirror.
Danny Webb stands in front of his dressing room door smiling
Alisha Bailey sits leaning forward, hands clasped on her dressing room table.
Ralph Fiennes stands backstage, hands on his hips, waiting to go on.
Ian Kirkby sits backstage doing his tie in the mirror.
Alana Maria sits in her dressing room smiling.
Guy Paul sits in his dressing room, laughing. He wears a beige suit and a brown patterned tie.
Siobhán Cullen warms up on stage, she is stretching on the floor.
Guy Paul stands reading a card. Around him Mary Stillwaggon Stewart, Ralph Fiennes, Al Copplola and David Bromley listen.
Dani Mosely leans forward towards a mirror applying eyeliner.
Guy Paul leans forward to look at himself in the mirror.
Samuel Barnett sits in his dressing room having his hair styled.
Mary Stillwaggon Stewart sits in costume at a mirror in her dressing room. She has a short brown wig and a yellow shirt.
Dani Mosely and Alana Maria laugh backstage.
Alisha Bailey sits backstage on a sofa. She wears a short curled wig with a shirt and long skirt.
Alana Maria laughs backstage with a member of the backstage team. She wears a blazer and ankle length skirt.
A screen in a dressing room shows what is happening on stage, it is being pointed at by a person with a headset.
Al Coppola walks backstage smiling at the camera, he wears a shirt, trousers and braces.
Samuel Barnett and Siobhán Cullen laugh backstage.
Ralph Fiennes and Danny Webb laugh backstage.
Siobhán Cullen has her wig fitted backstage, she sits at a dressing room table.
Ralph Fiennes enters the stage, only th eback of him can be seen, he wears a shirt, with braces and trousers.
Danny Webb blows smoke from his mouth backstage, he watches a small screen that shows the view of the stage.
Helen Schlesinger and Danny Webb wait in the wings, they talk and laugh in costume.
Samuel Barnett stands, waiting to go onstage, he is lit by the light from the stage.
Alisha Bailey sits at a dressing room table in a wig cap, she is having her wig fitted.
Alisha Bailey sits at a dressing room table.
Siobhán Cullen sits at a dressing room table putting mascara on, she wears a short dark brown wig styled in a bob.
Danny Webb sits at a dressing room table, we see his reflection in the mirror. He wears glasses and a waistcoat with a bow tie.
Samuel Barnett sits at his dressing room table, he leans back on his chair. He is wearing a blue shirt and beige trousers.
Baskstage illuminated by the light from onstage,
In conversation with Associate Director Jamie Armitage – Click to watch
In conversation with Associate Director Jamie Armitage – Click to watch
Play Video
Play Video
Rehearsal photos by Manuel Harlan
Rehearsal photos by Manuel Harlan
View all 27 images
Guy Paul (grey hair, glasses, blue checked shirt) stands hands behind his back and smiling opposite Ralph Fiennes (brown hair, blue collared shirt, beige blazer) who holds a brown satchel in one hand and clutches a flat cap in the other.
Dani Mosely (black hair, hoop earrings and a grey cardigan over a burgundy tshirt) and Mary Stewart (brown hair, navy top) stand laughing.
Photo from the rehearsal room. The room is full of desks and display boards covered in blue prints and buts of paper. Most of it is out of focus apart from a woman (Siobhán Cullen, brown hair pull back in a lose ponytail) who is kneeled behind one of the tables, her arms resting on the top of it and her chin resting on her knuckles. She has an open mouth smile and is looking off into the distance.
Ralph Fiennes (brown hair, blue collared shirt and a beige blazer) stands hands on hips. He looks at Samuel Barnett (brown hair, glasses, beige shirt), who leans over a table and gestures to the blueprints in front of him.
Photo from the rehearsal room. Alisha Bailey (dark hair in braids and styled in a high pony tail) is sat at a table laden with books, scripts, pencils, coffee cups and reading glasses. Her elbows are leaning on the table and her face is resting against her entwined hands. She is smiling and looks like she's listening.
Photo from the rehearsal room. Ian Kirkby is sat side on to a long table. He has dark framed glasses and a blue collared shirt and he's looking off as if listening intently. He has one arm leaning on the table and one in his lap. On the table is an open script, a metal water bottle and a trilby hat.
Photo from the rehearsal room. Helen Schlesinger (white hair which is short and wavy, and tortoishell glasses) is sat on a chair and leaning back against a white brick wall. She has an open script on her lap and has one hand to her chin as she smiles. On the wall behind her are maps of New York and old black and white photographs.
Siobhán Cullen (long dark hair tied back, grey knitted vest over a long-sleeved white top) faces away from the camera and holds a blueprint map on a large wooden board.
Helen Schlesinger (short white hair, glasses and grey patterned dress), Samuel Barnett (brown hair, glasses, beige shirt, blue jeans), Siobhán Cullen (long dark hair tied back, grey knitted vest over a longsleeved white top) all sit on chairs in rehearsal with scripts on their laps. They look focused as Siobhán smiles.
Guy Paul (grey wavy hair, glasses and a blue checked shirt) sits in an old wooden chair leaning on one armrest gesturing with a smile on his face.
Guy Paul (grey hair, glasses and blue checked shirt) sits with Ralph Fiennes (brown hair, blue shirt and beige blazer) they are laughing and smiling.
Photo from the rehearsal room. Danny Webb (grey hair brushed back, white bear, clear glasses and a roll neck) is sat on a chair hands in his lap and holding a script. He's looking off and smiling gently.
Mary Stewart (brown hair, navy top) stands in the rehearsal room.
The cast of Straight Line Crazy stand looking focused, there are wooden tables and boards with blueprints.
Helen Schlesinger (short white hair, glasses and grey patterned dress) in rehearsals. She sits with her script in her lap smiling.
David Bromley (dark hair, glasses, burgundy jumper) sits behind a table, he looks focused on the room.
Guy Paul (grey hair, glasses, blue checked shirt) and Alana Maria (dark hair tied back, glasses, hoop earrings and a beige shirt) sit on wooden chairs facing each other. They look to be in happy conversation.
Photo from the rehearsal room. Danny Webb (grey hair brushed back, white bear, clear glasses and a roll neck) is sat on a chair and leaning over with his hands together and elbows resting on his knees. He is slightly smiling and looks as though he is listening.
Ralph Fiennes (brown hair, blue collared shirt and a beige blazer) stands facing the camera with a fisted hand on his hip. He looks at Guy Paul (grey hair, glasses and blue checked shirt) who stands facing away from the camera with arms folded.
Photo from the rehearsal room. Al Coppola is seen looking out from behind a wooden presentation board. He is wearing dark glasses and a pale shirt. One of his hands is to his chin and is also holding a pen in it. He looks pensive.
Dani Mosely (black hair, hoop earrings and a grey cardigan over a burgundy tshirt) sits in rehearsals, behind her is Ian Kirkby. They both look focused.
Siobhán Cullen (long dark hair tied back, grey knitted vest over a long-sleeved white top) stands in front of a wooden board holding a blueprint. She smirks and looks over her shoulder.
Samuel Barnett (brown hair, glasses, beige shirt) stands smiling, he is leaning on a table covered in blueprints.
Alana Maria (black hair tied back, glasses, hoop earrings and cream shirt) sits with a script and pen. Behind her are images of protests on a moodboard in the rehearsal room.
Guy Paul (grey hair, glasses, blue checked shirt) stands hands behind his back opposite Ralph Fiennes (brown hair, blue collared shirt, beige blazer) who holds a brown satchel in one hand and clutches a flat cap in the other.
Helen Schlesinger (short white hair, glasses and grey patterned dress) in rehearsals. She stands and looks off camera with her hands splayed out as though explaining something.
Your reactions
Your reactions
View all 7 images
On a dark background showing New York from above, large white letters read, 'What an evening! Stunning Engaging, Clever!', a bold horizontal red line underneath.
On a dark background showing New York from above, large white letters read, 'Fiennes magnificent as the flawed master builder', a bold horizontal red line underneath.
On a dark background showing New York from above, large white letters read, '#StraightLineCrazy is just brilliant', a bold horizontal red line underneath.
On a dark background showing New York from above, large white letters read, 'Performances stellar and it's so compelling', a bold horizontal red line underneath.
On a dark background showing New York from above, large white letters read, 'Couldn't take my eyes off any of the cast', a bold horizontal red line underneath.
On a dark background showing New York from above, large white letters read, 'Fantastic performance by the all mighty #RalphFiennes', a bold horizontal red line underneath.
Press reviews
Press reviews
View all 6 images
Quote reads
5 red stars and the quotte
4 red stars and a quote that reads read
4 red stars above text reading The Sunday Times
4 red stars above a quote that reads

Cast

Alisha Bailey
Mariah Heller

Alisha Bailey
Samuel Barnett
Ariel Porter

Samuel Barnett
David Bromley
Stamford Fergus

David Bromley
Al Coppola
Sandy McQuade

Al Coppola
Siobhán Cullen
Finnuala Connell

Siobhán Cullen
Ralph Fiennes
Robert Moses

Ralph Fiennes
Ian Kirkby
Lewis Mason

Ian Kirkby
Alana Maria
Shirley Hayes

Alana Maria
Dani Moseley
Carol Amis

Dani Moseley
Guy Paul
Henry Vanderbilt

Guy Paul
Helen Schlesinger
Jane Jacobs

Helen Schlesinger
Mary Stillwaggon Stewart
Nicole Savage

Mary Stillwaggon Stewart
Danny Webb
Governor AL Smith

Danny Webb

Creatives

Director

Nicholas Hytner
Writer

David Hare
Designer

Bob Crowley
Lighting Designer

Jessica Hung Han Yun
Sound Designer

George Dennis
Composer

George Fenton
Wigs, Hair & Make-up

Campbell Young Associates
Casting Director

Robert Sterne
Associate Director

Jamie Armitage
Co-Costume Supervisor

Helen Johnson
Co-Costume Supervisor

Anna Lewis
Props Supervisor

Lily Mollgaard
Production Manager

Jonny Pascoe