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A DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE TITLE
Full-Length Play, Comedy / 3m
Joseph Nixon, Ian Shaw
Jaws stars Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider take center stage as they bond, argue, drink, gamble and pray for an end to the tortuous film shoot, not knowing it will change their lives forever.
Image: 2023 Broadway Production (Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
Nominee: 2022 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play Nominee: 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Play Nominee: Nine 2024 Theatre Fans’ Choice Awards, including Best Play
The historic first summer blockbuster movie is being filmed – but no one working on the film would know it. Dive deep into the tumultuous, murky waters of the making of a major motion picture with dueling co-stars, unpredictable weather and a shark prop whose constant breakdowns are looking like an omen for the future of the movie. In this comedy written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, the short tempers and short circuits of Jaws stars Robert Shaw (father of the play’s co-author Ian), Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider take center stage as they bond, argue, drink, gamble and pray for an end to the film shoot, not knowing it will change their lives forever.
The Shark Is Broken premiered in Brighton, England at the Rialto Theatre on 24 July 2019. Shortly thereafter, the production transferred to the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, opening at the Assembly George Square Studios on 2 August 2019. Directed by Guy Masterson, the production starred Ian Shaw as his own father, English actor Robert Shaw, Liam Murray Scott as Richard Dreyfuss and Duncan Henderson as Roy Scheider. The play then premiered in the West End at the Ambassadors Theatre on 9 October 2021. The later Broadway production of the play opened at the John Golden Theatre on 10 August 2023. Ian Shaw reprised his role as his father alongside Alex Brightman as Dreyfuss and Colin Donnell as Scheider, and Shaw continues to take on his father’s persona as the play tours the UK and Ireland in 2025.
ROBERT SHAW – English actor and writer. In the film Jaws, he portrayed Quint, a shark hunter and captain of the Orca. RICHARD DREYFUSS – A young American actor. In the film Jaws, he portrayed Matt Hooper, a marine biologist hired by Martin Brody. ROY SCHEIDER – An American actor. In the film Jaws, he portrayed police chief Martin Brody.
“A profound dive behind the scenes of the making of Jaws.” – Daily Telegraph
“The script never lets interest lag over the play’s ninety intermission-less minutes. The tension, humor, depth, silliness and horror coming like waves lapping the boat.” – Associated Press
“Laughs aplenty. A wild ride worth taking!” – Entertainment Weekly
“Wittily excels not just as a clever time capsule, but as an examination of male bonding and competitiveness, ego, frailty, fame and filmmaking.” – The Daily Beast
“Hilariously brilliant and pure genius.” – Sunday Express
The Shark Is Broken – West End Trailer
The Shark Is Broken – West End Preview
The Shark Is Broken – Pollard Theatre Trailer and Behind-the-Scenes