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The Shark is Broken
23 January 2025 to 25 January 2025
About The Shark is Broken
By Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon
Presented by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis, GFour Productions and Kenny Wax
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.
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.
Short tempers. Short circuits. 95 minutes, no intermission.
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.
Reviews
“Ian Shaw gives one of the most exhilarating theatrical performances of the year”. ★★★★★
Evening Standard
“Sensational fun” ★★★★★
Sunday Express
“Witty wonderful wordplay” ★★★★★
Sunday Mirror
Tickets
From £14.00
Booking information
Ticket prices:
From £14.00
Dates & times:
Thursday 23 January 2025 at 7.30pm
Friday 24 January 2025 at 8.00pm
Saturday 25 January 2025 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Running time:
95 minutes
Age guidance:
14+
Content guidance:
This show includes strong language and references to drugs and alcohol.
About Oxford Playhouse
Oxford Playhouse and its Burton Taylor Studio present and produce several live performances and feature a rich array of British and international dramas, family entertainment, contemporary dance and music, student and amateur shows, comedy, lectures and poetry.
The Playhouse not only produces and tours its own theatrical productions, but it also fosters creativity through its Artists in Residence program and the Playhouse Plays Out series, which brings unique events to various locations across the county.
The theatre’s Participation Team engages over 15,000 individuals annually, offering an extensive range of activities, including post-show discussions, workshops, work experience opportunities, holiday programs, a youth theatre, and a company for young performers.
Oxford Playhouse stands dedicated to its mission of being a Playhouse for all, striving to ignite inspiration and bring about transformative experiences through its commitment to creativity on its stages, within its community and online.
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