West End comedy makes its money back

Such announcements are not usually made in the West End – but the producer of The Shark Is Broken has released a statement proudly proclaiming that the show has broken even.

In a sign of these Covid-ravaged times, Sonia Friedman has revealed that the London run of the show – which comes to an end this Sunday – has made back its costs.

The show, which started life at the Edinburgh Fringe, tells of the turbulent shoot of the movie Jaws, and was co-written by star Robert Shaw’s son Ian alongside Joseph Nixon.

Friedman said: ‘It has been a hugely challenging time to open a new play in the West End, but I am immensely proud of all we achieved with The Shark Is Broken,  which recently recouped despite - well - everything.  

‘This is a real achievement in these unprecedented times, and its success is worth commenting on.  For a show to make the jump from the Edinburgh Fringe to the West End is a remarkable feat at the best of times. To do so in these circumstances is utterly extraordinary - and a testament to the sheer crowd-pleasing brilliance of Ian and Joseph’s play.’

She thanked the cast, crew and all Ambassadors Theatre staff and added for ‘keeping the show going, sometimes in unimaginably difficult circumstances’.

And she added: ‘I also want to say a massive thank you to our audiences, who have travelled from far and wide to support us. We certainly hope this is not the end of the story and fully expect The Shark Is Broken’to have a long life ahead.  Watch this space.’

In the show, Ian Shaw plays his father Robert alongside Liam Murray Scott as Richard Dreyfuss, and Demetri Goritsas as Roy Scheider. 

» Review of The Shark Is Broken.

Published: 11 Feb 2022