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Birmingham Rep in Centenary Square, Birmingham
Key art for The Shark is Broken. A play by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon. The image of a shark head with a rusty gear is imposed over the text ' The Shark is Broken'. The head acting as the 'A' and the gear acting as the 'O'.

The Shark is Broken

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Dive into the drama behind the scenes of Hollywood’s first blockbuster
Sensational fun”
★★★★★ Sunday Express

Fade in: The open ocean, 1974. Filming is delayed…again. The lead actors – theatre veteran Robert Shaw and young Hollywood hotshots Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider – are crammed into a too-small boat, entirely at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Alcohol flows, egos collide, and tempers flare on a chaotic voyage that just might lead to cinematic magic…if it doesn’t sink them all.

Ian Shaw gives one of the most exhilarating theatrical performances of the year”
★★★★★ Evening Standard

Step aboard the Orca and into THE SHARK IS BROKEN, a “profound dive behind the scenes of the making of Jaws” (The Daily Telegraph, ★★★★). This Olivier Award-nominated new play is “hilariously brilliant and pure genius” raves the Sunday Express (★★★★★) and stars Ian Shaw (War Horse, Common) as his father, Robert Shaw.

A smash hit in the West End and on Broadway, THE SHARK IS BROKEN celebrates movie history and peeks at the choppy waters behind Hollywood’s first blockbuster.

Witty Wonderful Word Play”
★★★★★ Sunday Mirror

Short tempers. Short circuits. 95 minutes, no intermission.

Price

From £19.50

Written by

Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon

Age Guidance

14+

Please note, no under 5s will be admitted to the auditorium.

Content Advice

This production features strong language and references to alcohol and drugs.

Running Time

1 hour 35 minutes with no interval.

Access

Audio Described:  Sat 10 May, 2.30pm

A Free Touch Tour is available to book before the Audio Described performance. 

Captioned: Wed 7 May, 7.30pm

Special Offers

3 for 2: Add 3 shows into your basket and at checkout enjoy 33% off each production for selected productions. T&Cs apply – Find Out More

Teens Go Free: Receive one complimentary young persons ticket (13-19 years) when you book one standard ticket on Wed 7 May performance at 7.30pm . Discount will be applied automatically at checkout when you add both tickets to your basket. T&Cs apply – Find Out More

Aged 16 to 25 Discounted tickets are available for this production for registered 16-25 members. T&Cs apply – Find Out More

Fees and Charges

Please note there is a transaction fee of £3.50 on all payment types.

Venue

Trailer

Key art for The Shark is Broken. A play by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon. The image of a shark head with a rusty gear is imposed over the text ' The Shark is Broken'. The head acting as the 'A' and the gear acting as the 'O'.
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Production Images

1 /
Three men in casual clothing sit at a table. The man on the left has a stern expression and a bottle of alcohol next to him. He is holding a piece of paper which covers the man in the middle who can be seen looking upset. The man on the right looks as though he is judging the piece of paper.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

A man wearing a long green coat and bright blue shirt sits on the floor with his back against a sofa. He holds a bottle of alcohol in one of his hands and has squinted eyes and a smile as though he is happily talking about something.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

A man sits at a booth reading a newspaper. The windows behind him look worn and rusted and the background seems messy. He looks concentrated on the newspaper and they sky looks as though it is late in the evening.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

A man wearing a grey jumper and glasses has a happy smiling expression.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

A man in a black shirt, grey jacket and wire frame glasses is pointing to something and has his mouth open. The man next to him looks as though he is preoccupied but still talking. They both look as tho7ugh they are having an enjoyable time together.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

A man in a grey jumper and glasses holds his hand out and looks as though he is telling something to the man next to him who stands opposite listening. They are both holding small white mugs.

Original Cast from West End production. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

Cast

Headshot of Ian Shaw

Robert Shaw

Ian Shaw
Headshot of Dan Fredenburgh

Roy Scheider

Dan Fredenburgh
Headshot of Ashley Margolis

Richard Dreyfuss

Ashley Margolis

Creatives

Director

Martha Geelan

Assistant Director

Molly Stacey

Based on Original Direction by

Guy Masterson

Set and Costume Design

Duncan Henderson

Lighting Design

Jon Clark

Sound Design

Adam Cork

Associate Sound Designer

James Melling

Video Design

Nina Dunn
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