The stage adaptation of *The Happiest Man on Earth*, the extraordinary life story of Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku OAM, will premiere at the Sydney Opera House from May 12 to 17, 2024. This production is adapted by acclaimed playwright Mark St Germain and features actor Anton Berezin in the lead role. It is based on Jaku’s international bestselling memoir, which he wrote later in life after years of public silence.
Jaku, known for his powerful presence in Sydney’s Jewish community, was born as Abraham Jakubowicz in Germany in 1920. His life was irrevocably changed during Kristallnacht in November 1938, when he was arrested and imprisoned for being Jewish. Throughout World War II, he endured harrowing experiences in Buchenwald and Auschwitz, survived a death march, and was ultimately rescued by Allied soldiers in 1945.
For decades after the war, Jaku refrained from discussing his traumatic past. It was only in his later years, motivated by family support and a sense of responsibility, that he decided to share his story. His memoir, *The Happiest Man on Earth*, published when he was in his late 90s, quickly captured the attention of readers worldwide. As he explained in an interview with *The Australian Jewish News*, he initially resisted the idea of writing a book, stating, “I wanted this book to not only be about my life, but to be about how you can teach your children how to be in the future.”
Jaku’s narrative is notable not just for its recounting of horror but also for the profound philosophy he adopted. Despite losing his family and homeland, he championed a life filled with gratitude and kindness, insisting that happiness is a conscious choice. “Happiness is a choice,” he frequently stated, a sentiment that is central to both his memoir and the theatrical adaptation.
In Australia, Jaku emerged as a passionate educator, speaking to students and community groups about the importance of compassion and standing against prejudice. His dedication to Holocaust education has left an indelible mark, and the moral clarity of his teachings is reflected in St Germain’s adaptation, which has garnered praise from critics.
As the Australian premiere approaches, Rabbi Alon Meltzer of Shalom Collective remarked on the importance of the production, particularly in light of recent antisemitic incidents. “This piece of theatre was always going to be a needed piece on Australia’s grandest stage,” Meltzer stated. “Eddie was a local hero, a giant of a personality. The importance of learning about the Holocaust — and the importance of rising above trauma to aspire and hope for a better world — is a message the world has always needed to hear.”
Eddie Jaku passed away in 2021, yet his legacy continues to resonate. He encouraged people to openly express love, reject hatred, and remember the dangers of prejudice. One of his last reflections inspires audiences to appreciate their loved ones, urging them to “tell your parents you love them.”
As *The Happiest Man on Earth* graces the Sydney Opera House, it serves as a continuation of Eddie Jaku’s life’s work, illuminating the message that even in the darkest times, it is possible to find hope and light. For tickets and more information, visit sydneyoperahouse.com.
