Award-winning director Luke Joslin will bring his passion for storytelling and iconic cinema to the upcoming production of The Shark is Broken, produced by Storeyboard Entertainment and Stoddart Entertainment Group.
Luke’s career spans more than 15 years as both a celebrated performer and director. A Helpmann Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Avenue Q, he has also been nominated for Green Room and Helpmann Awards multiple times, including a 2019 nomination for Best Direction of a Musical for In the Heights.
His extensive directing work includes Grease (Crossroads Live), In the Heights (Hayes Theatre Company / Sydney Opera House / Comedy Theatre / HOTA), Songs for a New World, Back to the 80s – The Musical, Educating Rita, Bells Are Ringing, Shrek: The Musical, Cinderella, and most recently the national tour of Cluedo. He is currently Associate Director on Waitress the Musical for Crossroads Live.
For Luke, the attraction to The Shark is Broken was immediate.
“What attracted me to it was my fascination with the story of how Jaws came to be. It’s a film that paved the way for the Hollywood blockbuster era. It’s iconic in every way, so of course the attraction was instant.”
A lifelong fan of Jaws, Luke admits the film still holds up for him today even if it comes with a seasonal viewing strategy.
“Huggggeeee fan!!! Who isn’t??!! It’s a film that has stood the test of time. I tend to watch it in winter cause I’m less inclined to visit a beach!”
Bringing the story of The Shark is Broken to life presents its own creative challenges, particularly in staging the infamous setting of the Orca without the ocean itself.
“Jaws was shot on the water which is just insane when you think about it. Our play is set on the Orca but obviously we won’t be on water, although I am happy to report there will be a SPLASH ZONE!”
Luke also praised the creative team helping to realise the production’s distinctive world.
“Our design was always the element that stood out to me as the challenge, but when you have design extraordinaire James Browne at the helm you know all will be ok. The design for this show is both inventive yet faithful.”
At its heart, Luke sees the production as a story of discovery both for the audience and the creative team.
“I’m looking forward to taking a deep dive into who these three actor legends actually were. It’s a play about discovery both for us and the audience alike.”
Themes of isolation, confinement, and the pressure of creating under extraordinary circumstances sit at the core of the work.
“Isolation and being confined are extremely important, and what that does to our characters over 90 minutes. There’s also the idea of making meaningful art while the studio was chasing the mega hit.”
For Luke, audiences can expect an engaging and revealing theatrical experience that goes far beyond what they already know about the film.
“We all know Jaws and what a hit it was, but how well do we know what really went on? It’s the discovery that will be most appealing.”
With a cast of strong performers who are real-life friends, Luke says the rehearsal room energy is already electric.
“They are all great actors. They love Jaws and each have a unique character essence that makes them perfect for who they are playing. They’re also great friends in real life, which makes for an exciting process.”
Balancing comedy with deeply human storytelling is central to his approach as a director.
“I do it all!!! You have to be able to. I enjoy comedy, but also the complexities of rich humanistic storytelling.”
Ultimately, Luke believes the production offers something for both devoted Jaws fans and newcomers alike.
“Whilst you could argue this play is definitely for Jaws fans, it’s also for people who are curious about what it took to bring such an iconic piece of cinema to life. We are literally behind the scenes on this one.”