'The Happiest Man on Earth' Brings Holocaust Survivor Eddie Jaku's Story to Stage

Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku became known as the happiest man on earth with his stories of escape and resilience. Now, an internationally acclaimed stage production based on his life is coming home to Sydney.

Key points:

Eddie Jaku’s life story is being brought to the stage in ‘The Happiest Man on Earth’, based on his bestselling memoir.
Actor Anton Berezin leads the one-man production, portraying Eddie’s journey from Nazi persecution to a life of hope in Australia.
The play combines powerful history with humour and resilience, highlighting Eddie’s belief that happiness is a choice.

Adapted from Eddie Jaku’s memoir, The Happiest Man on Earth is a one-man play that covers Eddie’s experiences as a German Jew, through his time in concentration camps, and his later years in Australia.

Jewish-Australian actor Anton Berezin (Wicked, Phantom of the Opera) will lead the production in Sydney, describing Eddie as a “remarkable man” who became a “folk hero” of the Jewish community.

“[Eddie] looms large in our identity,” Anton told Hope 103.2.

“He lived to 101. In his later years, he devoted himself to Holocaust education and public service.

“He toured literally thousands of people through the Jewish Museum, the Holocaust Museum in Sydney and became famous for his extraordinary positivity.

“He described himself as the happiest man on earth.”

Eddie’s story truly is remarkable. He survived Auschwitz and Buchenwald as a young man escaping a Nazi-led death march and going on to rebuild his life in Australia.

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“The heart of it is it’s a story of faith,” Anton said.

“The heart of it is it’s a story of faith,” – Jewish-Australian actor Anton Berezin

“He had a mantra that happiness is a choice. [Eddie] faced these horrific situations that weren’t unique to him. He survived through a bit of luck, extraordinary ingenuity and positivity and willpower.

“That’s really what’s inspired me – his ability to take the punches and get up, keep going.”

Despite the weight of Eddie’s story and the emotional nature of bringing it to the stage, The Happiest Man on Earth also carries warmth and humour.

“It’s deeply affecting,” Anton said.

“But it’s really funny in places because [Eddie]’s just such a funny, clever man.

“I think people are going to love it.”

The Happiest Man on Earth will run at the Sydney Opera House May 12-17.

Feature image: Supplied

Laura Bennett

Laura hosts Hope Afternoons on Hope 103.2, sharing uplifting music, engaging interviews and her insights as a reviewer and author. She is also the host of the UNDISTRACTED podcast where she explores the lives and expertise of her guests in order to learn how to become better at building our lives with intention, and live in the ways of Jesus.