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First Look $27 (incl. a $2 fee): April 24 & 25
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The Mistake

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Overview

Produced by:
Essential Theatre
Dates:
April 24 - May 11, 2025
Run Time:
1 Hour, 20 Minutes
Intermission:
No
Theater:
Showing in Theater
Tickets:
$32 (incl. a $2 fee) | 59E59 Members: $25
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Show Info

By Michael Mears
Directed by Rosamunde Hutt

With Riko Nakazono and Michael Mears

1945. The United States drops two atomic bombs on Japan, heralding a terrifying new era of warfare.

The compelling stories of the brilliant Hungarian scientist who helps create the atom bomb, the daring American pilot who delivers it, and the devoted Japanese daughter who suffers the devastating consequences fatally intertwine across countries, continents, and decades. 

Partly using verbatim testimonies, this powerful new play explores the events surrounding the catastrophic "mistake" that launched our nuclear age.

CONTENT TRANSPARENCY
In an effort to care for our community, we’re sharing details about this production that may be sensitive for members of our audience. The following information may reveal plot points.

Contains graphic descriptions of injuries and death, and explosion sound effects. 

Join us for post-show talkbacks with members of the cast following these performances:

  • Friday, April 25 at 7:30PM with director Rosamunde Hutt.
  • Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 with British politician and Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn; and Joseph Gerson, President of  the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security.
  • Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 PM with playwright and activist Emily Welty. Emily directs one of the largest Peace and Justice Studies programs in the USA and is part of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons team that won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.
  • Friday, May 9 at 7:30 PM with associate producer Maria Pattinson
Michael
Mears
Riko
Nakazono
Mark Friend,
Set Design
Claire Windsor,
Sound Design
Richard Williamson and Angelo Sagnelli,
Lighting Design
Riko Nakazono in THE MISTAKE
Photo Caption: Riko Nakazono in THE MISTAKE
Photo: Simon Richardson
Riko Nakazono and Michael Mears in THE MISTAKE
Photo Caption: Riko Nakazono and Michael Mears in THE MISTAKE
Photo: Simon Richardson
Michael Mears in THE MISTAKE
Photo Caption: Michael Mears in THE MISTAKE
Photo: Simon Richardson
Michael Mears and Riko Nakazono in THE MISTAKE
Photo Caption: Michael Mears and Riko Nakazono in THE MISTAKE
Photo: Simon Richardson
Michael Mears in THE MISTAKE
Photo Caption: Michael Mears in THE MISTAKE
Photo: Simon Richardson
Riko Nakazono in THE MISTAKE
Photo Caption: Riko Nakazono in THE MISTAKE
Photo: Simon Richardson
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Producing Company

Essential Theatre

Michael Mears’ Essential Theatre creates small-scale theatre that packs a punch: solo shows exploring issues such as homelessness (the Edinburgh Fringe First award-winning Soup) and the struggles of Britain’s conscientious objectors to war (This Evil Thing); and two-person shows such as Michael's latest work, The Mistake, about Hiroshima and the first atomic bomb.

As with all of Essential Theatre's productions to date, The Mistake features a carefully crafted soundscape, and minimal but highly imaginative set design and props where every element plays an important role. Essential Theatre aims to produce theatre that is compelling, thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.

Read more at: www.michaelmears.org

Reviews

★★★★ "An evocative, well-researched, and urgently fascinating story." – The Scotsman

★★★★ "The past comes alive - a gripping piece of storytelling" – The Times

"The very personal accounts, particularly the use of diaries from hibakusha, make for a uniquely compelling and gripping production." – British Theatre Guide

"The Mistake manages to remain a gripping historical drama that doesn't overwhelm. You don't end up leaving feeling the world is doomed. There is hope. The Mistake does what theatre does best. It makes you think. It challenges what you think you believe, what you think you know. It redresses historical bias and balance to the way we hear others' histories and stories and gives them a chance to be heard." – Backstage Bristol

Schedule & Tickets

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