Farewell Mister Haffmann, Park Theatre Review
Michael Fox in Farewell Mister Haffmann. Photo by Mark Senior
Written by Emily for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
This production contains themes of war, Nazism, antisemitism and infertility.
Written by Jean-Phillipe Daguerre, and adapted into English by Jeremy Sams, Farewell Mister Haffmann has enjoyed huge success in France. The time has now come for it to receive its London premiere.
Set in 1942 against the turbulent backdrop of Nazi-occupied Paris, the play follows a Jewish jeweller, Joseph Haffmann (Alex Waldmann), who transfers ownership of his shop to his faithful employee, Pierre (Michael Fox), and then goes into hiding in the cellar. Pierre agrees to this on the condition that Joseph begins sexual relations with his wife Isabelle (Jennifer Kirby), as the couple are struggling to conceive a child themselves. An unusual condition, some might say, but one that paves the way for an impactful and gripping ninety minutes.
These key plot points form the majority of the play's action, where emotions run high and jealousy brews, as you would expect. The three actors are fantastic in their roles and convincing as three individuals who are navigating a precarious situation.
The play is elevated to a whole new level when Pierre invites Nazi officer Otto Abetz (Nigel Harman) and his wife Suzanne (Jemima Rooper) over for a dinner party. The tension is palpable when the two guests arrive and Harman commands the stage with a sinister presence. Rooper brings a welcomed comedic relief to the proceedings, having the audience in the palm of her hand throughout her time on stage. A memorable performance.
The lighting (Christopher Nairne) and sound (Asaf Zohar) complement the production very effectively, adding to the drama and tension throughout, and keeping this up during the scene changes.
Striking the right balance of suspense and dark humour, Farewell Mister Haffmann will have you gasping in shock one minute and laughing the next. Fundamentally, it is an exploration of the strength of the human spirit and the quest for survival in trying times. Although the acting is the true highlight, every element blends together seamlessly to create an excellent production.
At Park Theatre until 12 April 2025
★ ★ ★ ★
