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

Shigeko Nomura is a young woman living in war-time Hiroshima.
Leo Szilard is a Hungarian scientist and ‘father of the atomic bomb’.
Paul Tibbets is the American pilot chosen to fly the plane that drops the bomb.
At 8.15am on a Monday morning in August, their lives become fatally and forever entangled.

Using verbatim testimonies and remembrances from eye-witnesses, the play interweaves the stories of the survivor, the scientist and the soldier to create a gripping and powerful drama – about what happens when scientific discoveries unlock the awesome power of nature, and “the genie is let out of the bottle”.

The play’s running time is: approx. 80 minutes. and is suitable for audiences of 15+ years. It will appeal to anyone interested in history, politics, science, ethics, morality and peace studies. We also want to perform to school and college students wherever possible.

★★★★ ‘Masterful, devastating story-telling. Director Rosamunde Hutt presents the heart-rending tale with forensic attention and gentle compassion.’ (THE WEE REVIEW)

★★★★ ‘Mears is brilliant in his lightning-swift changes of costume, accent and persona as he portrays the many men encountered in Szilard’s narrative.’ (SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE)

‘An exceptionally high-quality piece of writing. Emiko Ishii is powerful, emotional and delivers a stunningly authentic performance. Mears offers an authenticity to the story that makes this must-see theatre. One of the strongest pieces I have seen here at the Fringe. (THEATRE TRAVELS. ORG)

‘This amazing show…beautifully written, acted, directed and designed. Unmissable.’ (BEN HARRISON, Artistic director GRID IRON THEATRE CO.)

‘This production was one of the most imaginative, well researched and stunning performances we have ever seen in the theatre.’ (Audience member feedback, Edfringe.com)