Initial casting announced for English language world premiere of FAREWELL MISTER HAFFMANN

Initial casting has been announced for Jean-Philippe Daguerre’s Farewell Mister Haffmann, the English language world première of one of France’s most successful new plays, which plays at Theatre Royal Bath from 24 August-23 September.

Translated by Jeremy Sams, this new play will be directed by Lindsay Posner with a cast including Alexander Hanson (Noises Off, West End) as Joseph Haffman, Lisa Dillon (The Fever Syndrome and Hapgood, Hampstead Theatre) as Isabelle Vigneau, and Ciarán Owens (The Windsors: Endgame, West End) as Philippe Vigneau, with further casting to be announced.

The French play Adieu Monsieur Haffman by Jean-Philippe Daguerre has been a commercial and critical success in France, winning four Molière Awards, including Best New Play. It has been one of the longest running plays in France and was recently made into a film starring Daniel Auteil.

Jean-Philippe Daguerre said: “It’s an honour to collaborate with this esteemed team bringing my play to life for the first time in the English language. It’s such a wonderful gift as a playwright, and I cannot wait to see the production.”

Lindsay Posner added: “Set in Nazi occupied Paris, Farewell Mister Haffmann provides an entertaining and moving exploration of individual and collective moral dilemmas. This play’s political relevance cannot be over-estimated.”

The year is 1942. Paris is under Nazi occupation. Jews are being rounded up. Joseph Haffmann, a Jewish owner of a jewellery shop and his long- standing employee Pierre Vigneau change roles as part of a strange deal which could only take place against the background of an absurd and tragic reality. Joseph Haffmann will transfer the ownership of the jewellery store to Pierre, but asks that Pierre hides him from the Nazis. In return, Pierre insists that that Joseph enter a very unusual arrangement with Isabelle, Pierre’s wife.

Add to that a Matisse painting, an ‘art loving’ Nazi officer and his outrageous wife, marital difficulties amplified by the bizarre domestic situation, it is no wonder that Pierre is driven to the brink.

The production has set and costumes by Paul Wills, with lighting by Peter Mumford, sound designer & composition by Giles Thomas, and casting by Serena Hill.

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