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The Shark Is Broken Review | The Lowry | Manchester

Writer's picture: FrancesFrances

The Shark is Broken is a jaw-dropping 90-minute comedy that takes audiences behind the scenes of Steven Spielberg’s man-killer shark thriller, Jaws.


With a production fraught with challenges, including a malfunctioning mechanical shark known as Bruce, this witty retrospective draws from the real-life drama that took place off-camera.


Sailing aboard the confined quarters of the Orca, the show exposes the cracks in the delicate relationship between seasoned theatre actor Robert Shaw, the young and ambitious Richard Dreyfuss and their peacekeeper Roy Scheider. As they potter around onset, dishing out home truths during their downtime, the deeply personal narrative delves into the trio's clashing personalities. With co-writers Ian Shaw (son of Robert Shaw) and Joseph Nixon offering a blend of Hollywood humour based on the actors' alcohol fuelled introspections, the show provides a hilarious peep behind a piece of cinematic history.


Touching on the impacts of fame and grappling with personal grievances, the show sheds light on the film industry, lets the audience in on their inside jokes and adds a layer of meta-commentary for film enthusiasts. Duncan Henderson’s restrained design lets you sit in the actors’ oppressive production but the actors' loose lips and unflinching performances keeps the pace of the show sharp and snappy.


Nina Dunn’s video design features scenes of a clear ocean backdrop loaded onto a film reel as the slow boil show is carried by its three compelling crew members. Dan Fredenburgh as Roy Schindler, Ashley Margolis as Richard Dreyfuss and Ian Shaw as Robert all bring stellar, exaggerated performances of the real men. Ian’s portrayal of his father is a lovely nostalgic tribute and filled with the charisma expected of the salty actor. Margolis’s entertaining and animated delivery bends between the dopey and neurotic as the set-up to most jokes and the punchline to many more. While Fredenburgh’s calming presence helps balance out the group’s sparring conversations in what often feels like natural, improvisational performances.


Martha Geelan’s direction sees the gang trod back and forth between their overcrowded, rinky-dink boat whilst grounding the trio in an intensely honest and seamless show. With no intermission placed between the chats, it is easy for the Lowry audience to get swept away in the drama of the group's deft storytelling.

While some familiarity with Jaws and its lore is helpful going into the show, the blockbuster is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary and is hardly short on fans. 


The Shark is Broken is an entertaining side quest from the Jaws franchise, retelling the myth in a lighthearted and intoxicating production that any fan (with the exception of Richard Dreyfuss) is guaranteed to love.


Tickets are available via the Lowry link

© 2023 by The Book Lover. 

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