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★★★★
When I was young, my first experiences of the ‘Jaws’ films were the ride at Universal Studios and the iconic soundtrack by John Williams. I remember subsequently watching it for the first time and being on the edge of my seat at the suspense of it all. Skip forward to 2019 and a play based on the making of the film, ‘The Shark is Broken’, debuted at the former Rialto Theatre in Brighton before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe and then transferring to the West End. For 2024/2025 the play co-written by Ian Shaw (the son of Jaws star Robert Shaw) and Joseph Nixon is touring regional venues and I had the opportunity to review it at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury this week. It’s a really amusing show that makes you see the movie and its principal cast in a new light, 50 years on from its debut.
About the show
‘The Shark is Broken’ is based on Robert Shaw’s memories of the filming process and entries to a drinking diary, detailing how complex and arduous it was to make. It focuses on the film’s three main actors: Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss, turning them into characters in this behind-the-scenes comedy. Ian Shaw plays their father Robert and whilst my only recollection of the actor is his role in Jaws, the resemblance is uncanny. It is like you are watching shark hunter Quint live again, many years on from the film’s release. The play looks at the relationships on set, the creative process (including the constantly malfunctioning shark model Bruce, hence the show’s title) and what it is like to be part of a film and have no idea whether it will be a success.
Recreating the world of ‘Jaws’
Duncan Henderson’s set design has taken inspiration from the Orca fishing boat in ‘Jaws’, with the vehicle positioned in such a way that it give audiences a clear view of the inner layout. The backdrop is a film strip featuring the seascapes off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard and Nina Dunn’s video design evolves to represent the varying conditions and scenery that would have been present during filming. This has been combined with some realistic lighting effects, highlighting the sunsets and warm days on board. The film strip layout is obviously not a realistic background, but it is a welcome addition, reflecting the show’s ties to the Hollywood blockbuster. Overall I thought the set design really worked, there were just moments where I would like to have seen greater use of the Marlowe’s vast stage, as so much of the material takes place around the table onboard the boat.
Effortless chemistry
The banter and camaraderie on stage is very natural, and for me it is what makes this show. The cast performances transition from harmless disagreements to passionate conversations about excessive drinking, substance abuse and the pressures of “making it”. You get the impression that even though the interactions are silly and there are fictional elements within the script, the actors’ lives were changed forever after ‘Jaws’. I was particularly impressed by Adam Clifford’s amusing mediation as Roy Scheider, separating Robert Shaw (Ian Shaw) and Richard Dreyfuss (Ashley Margolis) who are always at loggerheads. It must be really fun to create these unlikely friendships on stage, reimagining what happened on the water surrounding Martha’s Vineyard.
Delivery and amplification
On the whole the vocal amplification is commendable, with the performers projecting the conversations across the auditorium. There is so much elation and energy in the script, providing room for many levels in the performance, highlighting the variety of emotions on set. However there is a particular sequence, which unfortunately doesn’t get the same treatment. It is where the audience gets an insight into Robert Shaw the writer, as he manipulates Quint’s iconic ‘USS Indianapolis’ speech. It is repeated multiple times, as he perfects the work, but unfortunately the position of the invisible camera and the quiet, suspenseful delivery for the film really affects the clarity of the dialogue. Ian Shaw is reciting the lines in the opposite direction to the audience and consequently some of the words can be missed.
A fascinating insight into filmmaking
There is so much to enjoy with ‘The Shark is Broken’, from laugh-out-loud moments within the dialogue to charismatic cast performances. Whilst it doesn’t have a huge challenging narrative, the focuses are the magic of film and the exceptional people responsible for creating the classic. It also runs at a slick and conclusive 90 minutes, acting as a masterclass in how to engage an audience for just the right amount of time. You can catch ‘The Shark is Broken’ at the Marlowe Theatre until Saturday 15th March, with tickets available via the venue’s website. If you’re a ‘Jaws’ fan, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes of the iconic film.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘The Shark is Broken’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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