The Shark is Broken, UK Tour Review (2025)
The Shark is Broken. Photo by Manuel Harlan
Written by Bella for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
The Shark is Broken offers a humorous yet heartfelt behind-the-scenes glimpse into the filming of the classic 1975 movie Jaws.
Co-written by Ian Shaw, son of Robert Shaw, who played Quint in the original film, and Joseph Nixon, this one act comedy brings to life the off-screen friendship and tensions between lead actors Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider as they are forced to endure endless technical delays when ‘Bruce,’ the animatronic shark used for the film, was broken. Set aboard the iconic ‘Orca’, and starring Ian Shaw, Dan Fredenburgh and Ashley Margolis, this witty yet thought provoking play delivers perfect portrayals of the three men during the filming of Jaws.
After making its way through the Edinburgh Fringe, West End and most recently Broadway, this riotous production is currently making waves (literally) around the UK and Ireland. And what better way to tell the story than through a play written by a child of one of the original actors?
The production is fast paced but takes the time to explore some of the more serious issues faced by the three men during the filming of the movie.
The entire production is set on The Orca’, a replica boat from the film, which has been crafted to perfection and looks identical to the original.
The set, designed by Duncan Henderson is spectacular in its likeness to the original. A large video screen across the rear of the stage is used to project the vast horizon of the ocean, complete with constantly rolling waves (with the odd shark appearing too!)
Ian Shaw is the spitting image of his late father, capturing both his charisma and inner Demons. His character ‘Quint’ comes across as rugged and hard faced throughout the original film.
This play provides a rare insight into Robert’s real life struggles especially his battle with Alcoholism. This portrayal definitely changes your perception of the character of ‘Quint’ and encourages the audience to reconsider the man behind the role and the problems he faced off-screen.
Although not related, Dan Freddenburgh shows an uncanny likeness to Roy Scheider, thanks to the incredible work of Carole Hancock and her fantastic wigs. Dan captures the essence of Roy perfectly, with his laid-back attitude towards the other two men’s often heated arguments, consistently lifting the mood in times of tension aboard the boat.
Dan’s delivery of what, in my opinion, is the most iconic line from the film, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”, was greeted with a roar of applause from the packed audience at the Theatre Royal!
Ashley Margolis, playing the Richard Dreyfuss role, was laugh-out-loud funny from the start. He really brought Richard to life and captured how he seemed completely focused on his career, yet a little lackadaisical around the edges. His physical comedy was a highlight and every scene he appeared in was absolutely hilarious.
You wouldn’t normally expect a play that is so side-splitting funny to be able to switch so seamlessly to deeply emotional segments, but this play strikes the perfect balance between humour and sensitivity. The punchline of every joke is timed to perfection, while the more serious moments are acted with realism and pure emotion.
It was clear how much the characters meant to the three actors as they all seemed to embody the characters far past surface level.
The on-stage chemistry between the actors was clear, making each man’s story feel authentic and deeply personal - giving the audience a unique glimpse into their lives and leaving them with more questions about their personal lives and struggles.
The shark might have been broken, but the same cannot be said about the rest of this side-splitting play. The Shark is Broken is a must see for Jaws and classic movie fans, plus anyone who appreciates a compelling mix of humour and drama.
The Shark is Broken continues its UK and Ireland Tour through to May. Tickets are available here.
★★★★
