THE SHARK IS BROKEN
A play by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon
What a magnificent 95 minutes spent in Richmond Theatre last night watching “The Shark Is Broken.” It basically gives a fascinating insight into the behind the scenes drama during the making of Jaws, back in 1974. It’s a comedic stage play set during the time that the film had stalled and offers a peek into a private world of boredom, arguments and personal stories told aboard the boat during the delay.
The lead actors – Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider are crammed into a tiny boat whilst production is delayed as they wait for “Bruce” – one of the three malfunctioning mechanical sharks to be mended. That must have proved to be a massive headache for the incredibly young director Stephen Spielberg (he was 26) as he attempted to manage both that and the internal wranglings of his stars whilst at the mercy of the weather.
This Olivier Award nominated play is back in the UK (from a run in the West End in 2021) and Broadway in 2023 and is now touring the country. It’s very funny and moving and stars Ian Shaw (War Horse, Common) as his father, Robert Shaw (who played Quint). The idea came to him after reading a drinking diary his father kept which he found painful and very brave. Sadly his father was an alcoholic who died in his early 50’s and many of the scenes in the play encapsulated that.
There were some brilliant lines as they discuss the politics of the day and the Nixon disasters…”well all I can say is that there will never be a more immoral president” – that of course got a big laugh. They also discussed the unlikely success of the film – which we all know went on to Hollywood’s first blockbuster, as well as the unlikely future success of many other Stephen Spielberg films.
Ashley Margolis plays a young Richard Dreyfuss, full of a burning desire to be famous, but blighted with anxiety and doubt – described as a lightweight “Beverly Hills Milk Puff” by Quint. The scene where he asks the other two about what they think the film is actually about is very funny – he discusses his thoughts on primeval emotions and deep philosophical meanings, whilst Robert Shaw merely counters with “it’s about a shark.”
Dan Fredenburgh is excellent as Roy Scheider and seems to be the one who attempts to be the peacemaker, spending most of his time trying to keep the other two apart whilst the alcohol flows, vulnerabilities emerge, egos collide and tempers flare.
We learnt quite a lot about sharks too – we knew that they were older than trees, but who knew that they had no bones? Only cartilage.
I don’t want to give too much away – we are all aware of the difficulties highlighted with the making of the film, but this production brings it to life in a meaningful way. The actors are all excellent, working together extremely well and I would urge you to go. The full rendition of the USS Indianapolis speech – a famous scene in the film ends the play spectacularly.
You can catch them in one of the following places up until the 17th May:-
Nottingham – Theatre Royal
Bath – Theatre Royal
Canterbury – Marlowe Theatre
Newcastle – Theatre Royal
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Plymouth – Theatre Royal
Brighton – Theatre Royal
Cheltenham – Everyman Theatre
Poole – Lighthouse
Birmingham – The Rep
Dublin – Gaiety Theatre
