INTERVIEW: IAN SHAW, STAR AND CO-WRITER OF THE SHARK IS BROKEN

Martha's Vineyard, 1974: shooting on ‘Jaws’ has stalled. The film’s lead actors – Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss – are stuck on a boat, at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Awash with alcohol and ambition, three hammered sharks start to bare their teeth…

Ian Shaw (War Horse and Common, National Theatre) will star as his father Robert Shaw. He will be joined by Liam Murray Scott as Richard Dreyfuss (reprising the role he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019), and Demetri Goritsas (ear for eye, Royal Court; Black Mirror, Netflix) as Roy Scheider.

Directed by Guy Masterson, THE SHARK IS BROKEN reveals the hilarious behind-the-scenes drama on one of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.

After a sell-out, critically acclaimed premiere at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe, Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon’s brilliantly funny play will arrive in the West End from 9 October 2021.

[frankensteinsmonster]

He looks so much like his father it's so awesome it's like he's back from the dead

[shamrockballs]

Thank you Ian, for bringing this play and keeping your Dad's memory alive! I hope you do tour and bring the show to Ireland 🇮🇪 We love Robert here.

[mikequintana]

Waiting for the prequel! Ian Shaw as Quint and Steven Spielberg at the helm! Starting out on the USS Indianapolis and ending with the beginning of Quint's fishing business on the Orca!

[SJM]

Jaws, in my opinion, is the finest and most complete film ever made. I’ve seen it over a 1, 000 times and I’ll see it 1, 000 more. It never gets old!

[liammccann]

My youngest son & I went to see the performance this afternoon. I'm 52 now now and I remember my Father taking me to see Jaws at The Strand Road cinema in Derry when I was seven. This was very poignant and the performances mesmerising. Bravo to everyone involved.

[jt]

I can't get over how so much like your dad you are! Not only is Jaws my number one favourite film but your Father Robert Shaw was an absolute legend in this film and many others and off screen, 👏 what a character! ❤

[unsinnkim]

I love how this show puts the actors first. In general, the conversation on the ORCA with the three men reminds me a lot of the table conversation in JURASSIC PARK. Great actors, well written script. If you let them act freely, you don't need monsters to entertain the audience.

[rryan]

What a sweetheart of a man.
I find it refreshing how honest he is. Saying how frightened he was to do the show, expressing gratitude for The Daily Jaws fans. He reminds me a lot of his mother Mary Ure. From interviews I’ve seen of her.
She also seemed lovely & with great manners.

Thank you The Daily Jaws for all the work you put in for us fans! Appreciate you!! 🦈🦈💙

[TheHungryTrollRawr]

What a lovely humble guy! And his dad was the best thing about the whole Jaws movie, along with the shark Bruce ofc lol.
His father was a terrific actor and his character Quint is easily one of my favourite roles of any movie ever!
In fact, I always thought how cool it would be to remake Jaws with todays tech and equiptment, but then I remember his father sadly passed and nobody could replace him, until perhaps now haha!

[johnmcnulty]

Have to see this, on tour hopefully. That stage set is fantastic, if it incorporates a night scene, maybe the odd shooting star ?
Ian's and Robert's singing voice virtually identical !
Thanks for the glimpse Daily Jaws crew.

[kingkong-ikgw]

Jaws is a masterpiece, and I would say one of the greatest movies of all time. You are soo much Like your father Ian, and he was a great actor, even in the battle of the Bulge. The movie was cast perfectly, and Robert was the perfect Quint ! No other movie could evoke so much terror as did Jaws. I wish you the very best in your endeavor.

[webtraveler]

Unfreakingbelievable how much he looks and sounds like his dad. Especially when he's singing the farewell and adieu song.

[MrRoverone]

So sad to hear him say "I've had my career now however humble" Ian Shaw is one actor I would like to see in more films and tv roles, I feel sure he could match the talent and fame of his father. Hope the tour comes to the north of England, will be attending.

[KevStevens-Music-Drums-Art]

Jaws was of its time - I was 16 on its release. A truly iconic movie that I would never get sick of watching. Having read and watched so much on the Jaws story, I would LOVE to see this but there's no way I can get there during its run. Please, Please tour it and bring it to Durham Gala theatre or Stockton Globe or Darlington Hippodrome. Or better still, bring it out on DVD as well, or live stream it - I would certainly pay for that. The casting is perfect, especially Ian who is so like his Dad it's uncanny - and who better to bring that part to life? Big pat on the back to the whole production team too. It looks astonishing.

[ranman]

Would absolutely LOVE to see this come to the States. I'd buy tickets in an instant. Heard rumors about the on-set relationship with Dreyfuss and Shaw for years. And frankly, the boat scene when they were adrift at night was a scene I always wished didn't end. It was the part of the movie that captured me the most, because you got a sense of the character's fragility. Massive whales and monster shark below, and these three men adrift on a tiny boat flexing bravado, but emitting fear in their eyes. It was a masterful scene. I'd love to know how it was made.

[rryan]

He’s a good actor. even if he had chosen some other parents. Talent is talent.

[SMSJSC]

Really good to know that the show is touring again in 2025. I’ll have travel a bit, but I’ll definitely be going to see it

[patriot]

Ian, your dad was phenomenal in Jaws. I’m very sorry that you lost him at such a young age.

[Randolph_Carter]

Most of us share some resemblance with our parents, but Ian is so like his father that it is almost scary.

[johnwright]

Robert Shaw is a legend. Glad to see this.