Farewell Mister Haffmann
An unconventional arrangement blends dark humour and tension with the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. Originally a French play by Jean-Phillipe Daguerre, Farewell Mister Haffmann makes its London premiere.
As Jews are being rounded up for deportation, Jewish jeweller Joseph Haffman (Alex Walmann) strikes a deal with trusted employee Pierre Vigneau (Michael Fox) and his wife Isabelle (Jennifer Kirby). In return for leaving his shop and home in the couple’s care, Mister Haffman asks to hide in the cellar until he can safely escape. It’s a risky situation, but Pierre sees it as an opportunity to up the ante with an indecent proposal.
The whole play takes place in the home. A sparse, claustrophobic set comprising a dining table, sideboard and Z bed in the cellar (Rebecca Bower) with intermittent arresting music (Asaf Zohar) creates a sense of foreboding for the hidden Mister Haffmann and the relationship between the three characters who are struggling with the morality and danger of their situation.
Taking advantage of his new position, Pierre sells jewels to Nazi clients, garnering respect from Otto Obetz (Nigel Harman), a Nazi official appointed German ambassador to France. Pierre’s arc from subordinate to greedy businessman is riveting and carefully crafted by Fox. His jealousy and anxiety at Isabelle and Joseph’s connection is well played, particularly in a funny scene when he is inebriated. We watch him unravel (through episodes of tap dancing) as he loses his sweetness, grows in stature and is on the verge of being radicalised.
Kirby is delightful as Isabelle. Seemingly she makes her feelings clear, but I was never quite sure how she really felt about Mister Haffmann which is captivating.
As tension builds between the characters, Waldmann’s portrayal of the resilient Mister Haffmann is complex. With the shifting dynamics, an angry and frustrated outburst is powerfully acted, yet there is a softness and likability to him.
Two thirds of the way through, real life characters Obetz and his wife Suzanne (Jemima Rooper) turn up for a farcical dinner party, jam packed with revelations. Harman is chillingly sinister as Obetz, describing his love for Hitler and veiling threats with his charm and killer smile. Rooper’s indelicate Suzanne is outrageous, getting laughs with her over the top vulgarity and bawdy humour. Harman and Rooper have a playful relationship, comically conveying their hideous views.
Never making light of the seriousness of these times, the humour brings out the absurdity and gravity of the situation these characters find themselves in; testament to great writing by Daguerre (and translator Jeremy Sams). I didn’t find the ending very believable, but it’s easy to see why this is one of France’s most successful and long-running plays.
Shocking, hilarious and moving, I was gripped for 95 minutes.
This show was reviewed on the 10th March 2025 at the Park Theatre, London where it runs until the 12th April 2025. Tickets available here: Farewell Mister Haffmann - Park Theatre
Review written by Victoria Willetts
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Photo credit : Mark Senior
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