Play giving deep dive into Jaws keeps audiences hooked - The Shark is Broken, by CCADS | Review
For anyone who has ever wondered what really happened behind the scenes during the notoriously troubled production of Jaws, The Shark is Broken offers anote-0 compelling and surprisingly heartfelt glimpse into the lives of the three leading actors of one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces.
Brought to the stage by CCADS this absorbing interval free production dives beneath the surface to explore the personalities, pressures and personal demons that threatened to derail the film long before audiences feared going back into the water.
Set aboard the infamous Orca – shark hunter Quint’s boat – while mechanical failures left cast and crew stranded between takes, the play explores the volatile relationship between Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss.
Their clashes of ego, artistic ambition and personal struggle create an intense character study where every conversation carries the weight of an approaching storm. As tensions rise, so too does the respect that slowly emerges between three very different men.
The production is anchored by a superbly realised set that instantly transports the audience aboard the Orca. Every detail immerses you in the isolation of the open sea, making you feel trapped alongside the actors as frustrations mount and tempers circle like a great white beneath the surface.
Tim Skedge captures Scheider’s measured professionalism and quiet resilience with conviction, while John-Paul McCrohon delivers an engaging portrayal of Dreyfuss, balancing youthful confidence with underlying insecurity. Paul Tully is simply phenomenal as Shaw, commanding every scene with an intensity that is impossible to ignore. His portrayal perfectly captures Shaw’s razor-sharp intellect, formidable presence and inner turmoil.
As a lifelong Jaws devotee, I adore most things connected Spielberg’s classic (except Jaws 3-D) and had high expectations, having seen the original West End production during its first run.
I’m delighted to say that CCADS’ production more than does the play justice, culminating in Shaw’s, hauntingly delivered USS Indianapolis speech, one of cinema’s most iconic monologues.
Whether you’re a devoted Jaws fan or simply appreciate outstanding theatre, The Shark is Broken is an absorbing, captivating and deeply rewarding production that never loses its nerve and will keep you hooked from the opening line to the final blackout.