The Happiest Man on Earth Theatre

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https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/theatre/happiest-man-earth

Date Reviewed: 15/05/2026

Watching “The Happiest Man on Earth” one of my very first thoughts was: “What an incredible storyteller!” But then I had to catch myself with one of the actual lines from this work – this was not a “story” – this was holocaust survivor, Eddie Jaku’s (born Abraham Jakubowicz) real life. 

Directed by Therèsa Borg, this theatre production is an adaptation of Jaku’s uplifting and critically acclaimed memoirs written by Mark St. Germain. That book has been translated into 37 languages, which is great as this is the kind of message we all need to hear and embrace in the world right now. It reminds us that your family is of the utmost importance, and that embracing all people as your family is also paramount. It makes me misty-eyed to bare witness to such optimism, especially considering the horrors that Jaku experienced firsthand at the concentration camps in Buchenwald and Auschwitz. 

Anton Berezin does a stellar job of portraying Jaku as an old man. The star is grappling with looking back on his life. It is the eve of his giving a talk about his past at his local synagogue, and he was encouraged by his family to do so. Berezin plays the great man with such warmth and kindness; it really draws you in from the get-go. 

The set and costume design is by Sophie Woodward and Jacob Battista, with the former staying pretty static as Berezin juggles various props and his delivery to take us through all those pivotal moments from Jaku’s history. It means that he is utterly convincing, as both a prisoner in the camps and in the suburban backyard of his adopted home in Australia. The costuming was rather surprising, as Berezin removes his jumper to reveal a shirt that doubles as the prisoner’s uniform, which is highly evocative of the time. 

“The Happiest Man” is ultimately an important account of one brave man’s life as he witnessed his neighbours become murderers. It is a history that is full of resourcefulness, kindness, and optimism. This really is a work that embodies the message of love triumphing over all. Something I wish we’d all abide by. 

Written by: Natalie Salvo

Photo credit: David Hooley.