The London Underground and Straight Line Crazy

May 25th, 2022

Today we went inside the London Underground, specifically using the Piccadilly line! I must say that it was definitely a time I will remember, as our group got split up on the first trip. I loved using the tube, and I found it much easier to navigate than a New York City subway – which was much appreciated. So far, I love London. The coach tour this morning was nice, as our group had the opportunity to see different parts of the city. I’m excited to venture to these areas using the tube, since I am feeling more comfortable with using this mode of transportation. Our group also had the opportunity to ride on the underground again this evening, as we ventured back to the city to watch Straight Line Crazy. During this journey, we changed lines while being underground. I am glad to have been with the group for the first time I did this because it was confusing to figure out where we were going! However, I do appreciate the clear signage the city has for its underground. It definitely makes it less ambiguous than I would have thought it would be! 

This evening I had the pleasure of watching Straight Line Crazy, starring Ralph Fiennes. It was an absolute delight seeing Fiennes perform in person. Delving into the play itself, I definitely thought it was enjoyable, specifically Act 2 rather than the first. The first half of the play was rather minimalistic. With the entire first act setting the stage for what was to come, the opening conversations between the characters were more or less dry compared to conversations that would happen later in the play.

The second act was more visual, as there was a map of New York City that covered the entire front half of the stage. The characters interacted with this map frequently which helped heighten the tension of the urban planning decisions. My only critique about the play was how the characters, besides Moses, were not drawn on further. They were mere concepts playing into Moses’ life and the struggles of his ideas as time progressed. The play’s narrative screams of the importance of inclusivity and appreciating humanity; however, I feel as though this could have been done better if the other characters had their backgrounds shared more with the audience. Meaning, if the audience could know more about how Finnuala, Ariel, and Mariah grew up and came to be in this situation, the narrative could have had more depth. As the narrative actually is, the only full characterization the audience sees is Moses, a powerful white man whose only desires are personal success and gratification. I honestly pity the man, as he would rather die than change his ways to be more inclusive to all – and to admit to others that he was wrong.

Lastly, I appreciated how the play’s beginning and end mirrored each other, as Moses opens and closes with a metaphor of swimming, as it compares to his motivations of success. This made for a respectable close to the play; something of which I really desired. All in all, I had a great time watching the show, and it was incredible having the opportunity to see Fiennes act. This play was a great piece to start the trip with, so I am really enthused to see what is to come.

– Maggie Martin