Michael Mears’ Essential Theatre presents a new play – THE MISTAKE by Michael Mears

1942.  On an abandoned squash court, a dazzling scientific experiment takes place that three years later will destroy a city and change the world forever.  Two actors, one British, one Japanese, explore the events surrounding the catastrophic ‘mistake’ that launched our nuclear age.

Interweaving the stories of a young woman in war-time Hiroshima, a
brilliant Hungarian scientist, and the American pilot who flew the
plane that dropped the bomb, THE MISTAKE is a powerful drama that
confronts the dangers that arise when humans dare to unlock the awesome
power of nature.

                                 by Michael Mears                                                            Directed by Rosamunde Hutt.  Performed by Riko Nakazono & Michael Mears.

★★★★         ‘The past comes alive – a gripping piece of storytelling’ (THE TIMES)
★★★★         ‘A powerful examination of humanity in the wake of Hiroshima.’  (THE LIST)

★★★★★      ‘I was genuinely blown away by this production.                                                                    A dramatic treat.’           (UK THEATRE WEB) 

★★★★         ‘An evocative, well-researched and urgently fascinating story.’                                                        (THE SCOTSMAN)

                                          AUTUMN 2023 tour

All performances will be followed by a Q and A with the cast for those who can stay

SEPTEMBER 2023

Fri.8^th    7.30pm   Dartington, Studio 1,  Lower Close Studios, Totnes TQ9 6EL                              www.dartington.org    01803 847070

Tues.12^th  7.30pm    Chester, Wesley Church Centre, St John Street, CH1 1DA                   www.tickettailor.com/events/hydratheatrecompany/920334                                                

Weds.13^th  7.30pm          Caernarfon, Galeri Theatre Doc Victoria, Caernarfon, LL55 1SQ                                                  www.galericaernarfon.com    01286 685 222                              

Thurs.14^th 7.45pm          Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DE                                     www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/theatre/mistake-0    01970 62 32 32

Sat.16^th        7.30pm          Wickenby, Lincolnshire, Broadbent Theatre                                   Snarford Road, LN3 5AW    www.broadbenttheatre.org  0300 400 0101

Tues.19^th    7.30pm          Lancaster, Gregson Arts Centre, 33-35 Moorgate, LA1 3PY                                                    www.gregson.co.uk/whatson/   01524  849 959

Weds.20^th 7.30pm         Stratford-on-Avon, Bearpit  Rother Street, CV37 6LU                                 www.thebearpit.org.uk/whats-on/the-mistake/    01789 333935                                                                                                                                                    Thurs.21^st 7.30pm    Cardiff Sherman Theatre Studio  Senghennydd Road CF24 4YE                         www.shermantheatre.co.uk/event/the-mistake/     029 2064 6900                                                                                                                       

Fri.22^nd                         Sibford School, Banbury  (afternoon perf.- time tbc)                                        The Hill, Banbury OX15 5QL  01295 781200

Sat.23^rd     7.30pm           Walton-on-Thames, Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre                                                 Manor Rd, Walton-on-Thames KT12 2PF    01932  253 354                                                                       https://thelittleboxoffice.com/riverhouse/event/view/176081

Sun.24^th    4pm               Chichester, Quaker Meeting House     TICKETING TBC                                                   Priory Rd, Chichester PO19 1NX    01243 839829

Tues.26^th  7.30pm          Bristol, Tobacco Factory Theatre                                        Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1TF   0117 902 0344                                                       www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/        

Thurs.28^th      8pm           Hull Truck Godber Studio,  50 Ferensway, HU2 8LB                                         www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/  01482 323638

Fri.29^th 7pm   Cambridge, Corpus Playroom  10, St Edward’s Passage, CB2 3PJ           & Sat.30^th  7pm     www.adctheatre.com/whats-on/play/the-mistake/    01223 300085

OCTOBER 2023

Sun.1^st    3pm tbc          Brighton, Friends Meeting House        TICKETING TBC                                                 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AF    01273 770258    

Weds.4^th                       Doncaster – McAuley Catholic High School   10.30am & 3pm                                       Cantley Lane, Doncaster DN3 3QF      01302  537396

Thurs.5^th                      Pontefract – Ackworth School  (evening perf.- time tbc)                                      Pontefract Rd, Ackworth, Pontefract WF7 7LT     01977 233600

Sat.7^th    7.45pm             York, Theatre Royal Studio   St. Leonard’s Place, YO1 7HD                                       www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/the-mistake/   01904 623568

Tues.10^th                      York, Bootham School   (morning perf.+ possible workshop)                                       49-57 Bootham, York YO30 7BU    01904 623261         

Weds.11^th  2.30pm       Bewdley Festival, West Midlands                                                                                 Bewdley Baptist Church, 61 High Street, Bewdley. DY12 2DJ                                      www.boxoffice.bewdleyfestival.org.uk/    TICKETING DETAILS tbc

Thurs.12^th                       Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham  (Hexagon Theatre)                       7.30pm tbc      www.macbirmingham.co.uk/whats-on    0121 446 3232  TICKETING tbc                                                             

Fri.13^th        7.30pm         Northampton, Royal and Derngate – Underground             & Sat.14^th 7.30pm      www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/the-mistake/     01604 624811

Tues.17^th                      Birmingham – St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School  (perf. tbc)                                      Wychall Ln, Birmingham B38 8AP    0121 464 4643

Weds.18th                    Buxton – Green Man Gallery    TICKETING DETAILS tbc                7.30pm tbc         Hardwick Studios, Hardwick Square S, Buxton SK17 6PY                                        www.thegreenmangallery.com/whats-on.html    01298 937375    

Thurs.19^th  7.30pm         Diss, Corn Hall        10 St Nicholas St, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4LB                                         www.thecornhall.co.uk/shows/the-mistake/  01379 652241

Fri.20^th         7.30pm        Aldeburgh, Jubilee Hall  Crabbe St, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 5BN                                     www.aldeburghjubileehall.co.uk/whats-on/    01728 454022            

Sat.21^st       7.30pm         Bury St. Edmunds, Quaker Meeting House     TICKETING tbc                                       St John’s St, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1SJ   07746 695589   

W/c Oct. 23rd               Performances to be confirmed –   Leyburn, N. Yorks,                                       Richmond, N.  Yorks,                                                                                   London, Sands Films Studios, Rotherhithe                                                                                                                                                       

Mon. Oct. 30^th             Canterbury  (evening perf.)   VENUE and more detailsTBC

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    All photos by SIMON RICHARDSON

Contact: thehalfitalian@aol.com for more info re: THE MISTAKE