The Happiest Man on Earth opened on 20 November at the Southwark Playhouse in London and moves audiences with its powerful true story.
In the one-man show, Kenneth Tigar reprises the role of Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku, retelling the remarkable true story that resonates with audiences across the world.
The veteran actor highlighted in this world filled with war and persecution how important it is to remember those who suffered through the Holocaust.
Tigar said: “I didn’t know about the memoir, I didn’t know about Eddie, but when I heard what it was about, I thought I had to do this play.”
Hollywood director Ron Lagomarsino brings the piece to life, through playwright Mark St Germain’s adaption of the autobiography of the same name.
‘The Happiest Man on Earth’ comes to a London audience for the first time following multiple successful runs in America.
The play focuses on retelling Jaku’s life as he celebrates his 100th birthday, and Tigar recreates his incredible life story through his performance.
From the outset of the play, performed in front of an intimate crowd, Tigar was captivating with both his humour and sincerity mesmerising the audience.
Although Jaku died in 2021 and so never was able to see the play, Jaku’s sons praised Tigar for his realistic performance which stayed true to who their father was.
And through Jaku, St Germain’s play looks at the Holocaust in granular detail, providing a individual experience to an historic event which affected millions.
Tigar added: “It tells the story of a human being, we can sympathise with this person and we can understand him.
“The more we get to know him the more we feel what he is going through, so people are very moved by the play.”
‘The Happiest Man on Earth’ is a sensational story that is nothing short of brilliant and shocking and will move London audiences throughout its run.
