"Adieu Monsieur Haffmann" at the Théâtre de l'Oeuvre

Paris, 1942. While the wearing of the yellow star for Jews is decreed, Joseph Haffmann concludes a deal with Pierre Vigneau, employee of his jewelry store: entrust him with his jewelry store in exchange for being hidden in his cellar. But Pierre Vigneau imposes a quid pro quo on him… Created in 2018, Adieu Monsieur Haffmann is a play with many awards (4 Molières) and whose success is undeniable with the public. It must be said that not only the beautiful scenography (which allows to split the scene into several spaces) but also the acting of the actors invested in their role (incredible Charlotte Matzneff) transport us perfectly to the Nazi occupation. The story does not lend itself to laughter, and yet the incongruity of the situation leads to beautiful passes of arms, thanks to dialogues with chiseled writing. The beginning can be a little confusing by its mini-scenes that make a choppy rhythm and then lengthen until the dinner scene, scene of incredible intensity. So much so that the audience found themselves quite surprised by the end of the play (we will be silent on that…). As for the message conveyed by the play: "courage is stronger than fear", it takes on an even more symbolic meaning when most spectators returned to the theatre for the first time since the end of lockdown, masked and distanced, but ready to support the actors and the theatre, to watch the story of a man confined to a cellar (the height of irony!). An act of courage highlighted by the director, Jean-Michel Daguerre (actor and director tonight) who moved the entire audience. It is high time to return to the theatre to experience very beautiful moments like this. Adieu Monsieur Haffman invites you to the Théâtre de l'Œuvre until December 30, 2020.   

Teaser Goodbye Mr. Haffmann