Culture

You’re gonna need a bigger theatre: Fringe hit The Shark is Broken begins limited West End run

The Shark is Broken, the inside story on cinema’s original summer blockbuster, Jaws, has opened for a limited run at the Ambassadors Theatre in London’s West End

The play was a sell-out hit at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019. Co-written by Robert Shaw’s son Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon,  and directed by Guy Masterson, the play throws an entirely new light on Steven Spielberg’s landmark movie. 

Ian Shaw (War Horse and Common, National Theatre) plays his father Robert Shaw, alongside Liam Murray Scott as Richard Dreyfuss (reprising the role he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019). Demetri Goritsas (Black Mirror, Netflix) is Roy Scheider.  Shaw and Dreyfuss famously did not get on during the shoot of the feature film.

The breakout hit of the Edinburgh Fringe 2019, the play throws an entirely new light on Steven Spielberg’s landmark movie… 

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Cape Cod, 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…’

The title of the play refers to the movie’s infamous malfunctioning mechanical shark.  Named Bruce by Spielberg, a nod to his lawyer Bruce Ramer, three mechanical Bruce sharks were used during the trouble-hit production.  

The film’s most quoted line, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” was ad-libbed by Roy Scheider on the day.

John Williams two-note Jaws theme is one of the most instantly recognisable in cinema history.

The Shark is Broken at the Ambassadors Theatre runs until January 2022.  

Karen Gillan fronts Compass Box Hedonism 2026 limited edition Scotch whisky

Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release.  A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…

Celebrity-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon makes UK debut with starry four-grain whiskey range

Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…

Licensed to thrill: The Macallan marks Diamonds Are Forever with 55th anniversary Bond whisky

The Macallan has unveiled a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky to mark the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The release continues the whisky maker’s creative partnership with the Bond franchise, following its James Bond 60th Anniversary bottling in 2022. Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig, the expression takes inspiration from Bond’s…