Of the three, Robert Shaw is the most outspoken, often drunk, he frequently argues with Dreyfuss, deriding Dreyfuss’s lack of stage experience and leaving the more philosophical Scheider trying to keep the peace.  Duncan Henderson’s detailed set is half a boat sitting on an ocean with waves that move and reflect the light thanks to Nina Dunn for Video and Jon Clark’s lighting.  The movie was filmed on the ocean near Martha’s Vineyard for authenticity rather than the calmer waters of the Californian coast.

Dreyfuss says, “They told me not to read the book as it might confuse me.”  Of course Shaw winds up Richard Dreyfuss who wants to be introduced to Harold Pinter, who directed the play Shaw wrote, The Man in the Glass Booth, by encouraging Dreyfuss to tell Harold Pinter what Pinter’s plays are all about.  It is witty stuff and I can still hear myself laughing out loud when Roy Scheider says, “There will never be a more immoral president than Nixon!” 

Jaws  was Spielberg’s first big blockbuster released during the summer break when everybody was thinking about beach vacations.  The theatre programme is an essential backgrounder to the production and a fascinating document in its own right. It explains that shooting the early scenes from the shark’s view point and John Williams’ dramatic music were so successful. 

The Shark is Broken is so enjoyable, brilliantly acted and directed by Guy Masterson that I am going to award it the rarity of a Theatrevibe five star accolade.  Miss it at your peril!  You’ll never go in the water again.