Farewell Mister Haffmann

By Jean-Phillipe Daguerre, Adapted by Jeremy Sams, Originally Directed by Lindsay Posner‍

One of France’s most successful and long-running plays, and a winner of four Molière Awards, Farewell Mister Haffmann makes its London premiere following a critically acclaimed debut at Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov Studio.

Set in 1942 in Nazi-occupied Paris, Jewish jeweller Joseph Haffmann faces imminent danger as Jews are being rounded up across the city for deportation. Desperate, Joseph turns to his trusted employee Pierre Vigneau for help.

In a risky and unconventional deal, he transfers ownership of his jewellery shop to Pierre in exchange for being hidden from the Nazis. But the deal comes with an unexpected condition: in return for hiding him from the Nazis, Pierre requests that Joseph enter into a particular arrangement with his wife, Isabelle. This unusual request raises the stakes, as the three of them find themselves struggling with the dangers and moral complexities of their situation.

A Matisse painting and an art loving Nazi officer and his flamboyant wife complicate matters further for Pierre, Isabelle and Joseph. As the marital pressures and absurd demands pile up, their deal teeters on the edge of collapse.

Blending dark humour and suspense against the background of unprecedented times, this play shines a light on human resilience in the face of impossible choices.