The Shark Is Broken is a comedic stage play written by British playwrights Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon. The play is a comedic exploration of the behind-the-scenes drama that took place during the filming of the 1975 film Jaws, which was directed by Steven Spielberg and starred Shaw's father, Robert Shaw, as well as Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss.
In 1974, the filming of Jaws is under way. The film's three lead actors — Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider — are stuck together on the boat Orca because Bruce, the mechanical shark used in the film, is broken. Filming has consequently been stalled for several days, turning into weeks. The Shark Is Broken explores the three actors' boredom, arguments, and stories told aboard the boat during the delay.
The first part of the play sees the three actors arrive on set for the eighth week of filming. They are told the shark is broken, and they start to wait it out aboard the boat. Tensions begin to occur as the three begin to realize how arduous filming the movie has become.
The second part begins to establish the hierarchy between the three actors: Shaw, the veteran actor; the young and ambitious Dreyfuss; and Scheider, who attempts to be the peacekeeper so they can all just finish filming the movie. The trio find ways to pass the time — now in the tenth week of filming the movie. Aided by alcohol, they share vulnerabilities and stories. Nevertheless, boredom continues to creep in on the actors.
The third part takes place at the end of filming Jaws, with the three actors still struggling to understand what the movie is all about. Bored and waiting for filming to wrap, the three engage in rambling, philosophical conversations on the meaning of the movie.
Throughout the play, Shaw struggles with the USS Indianapolis speech: he finds the material written by Carl Gottlieb unperformable and obtains Spielberg's permission to rewrite it. His alcoholism and conflict with Dreyfuss interferes with each successive rehearsal of the scene. A full rendition of the famous scene ends the play.
In 1974, the filming of Jaws is under way. The film's three lead actors — Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider — are stuck together on the boat Orca because Bruce, the mechanical shark used in the film, is broken. Filming has consequently been stalled for several days, turning into weeks. The Shark Is Broken explores the three actors' boredom, arguments, and stories told aboard the boat during the delay.
The first part of the play sees the three actors arrive on set for the eighth week of filming. They are told the shark is broken, and they start to wait it out aboard the boat. Tensions begin to occur as the three begin to realize how arduous filming the movie has become.
The second part begins to establish the hierarchy between the three actors: Shaw, the veteran actor; the young and ambitious Dreyfuss; and Scheider, who attempts to be the peacekeeper so they can all just finish filming the movie. The trio find ways to pass the time — now in the tenth week of filming the movie. Aided by alcohol, they share vulnerabilities and stories. Nevertheless, boredom continues to creep in on the actors.
The third part takes place at the end of filming Jaws, with the three actors still struggling to understand what the movie is all about. Bored and waiting for filming to wrap, the three engage in rambling, philosophical conversations on the meaning of the movie.
Throughout the play, Shaw struggles with the USS Indianapolis speech: he finds the material written by Carl Gottlieb unperformable and obtains Spielberg's permission to rewrite it. His alcoholism and conflict with Dreyfuss interferes with each successive rehearsal of the scene. A full rendition of the famous scene ends the play.
