It started with a discovery. A scientific breakthrough. A war. A mistake.
When the decision is made to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard – haunted by the role he played in its creation – fights to stop the unimaginable. In Hiroshima, a young woman named Shigeko Nomura, buried beneath rubble, must summon every ounce of strength to survive – and to find her family.
Two actors – one British, one Japanese – bring to life the interwoven stories of a brilliant scientist, a brave American pilot, and a devoted daughter in this searing and human drama.
THE MISTAKE, a sell-out hit at Arcola Theatre in 2023, returns after critically acclaimed tours in the United States (including a three-week off-Broadway run) and Japan – now featuring new cast member Riko Nakazono.
A powerful reflection on the decisions that changed the course of history and the human cost that followed.
In the 80th anniversary year of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, this is urgent, unforgettable theatre.
There will be a post-show talk on Thursday 16th October.
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Running time
1 hour 20 minutes (no interval) -
Age guidance
12+ -
Content warnings
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Discounts
Concessions available
Pay What You Can Tuesdays
Previous reviews
“The past comes alive – a gripping piece of storytelling”- The Times
“A dramatic treat”- UK Theatre Web
“A powerful examination of humanity in the wake of Hiroshima”- The List
Production photos
The Company
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Riko Nakazono
Shigeko and other roles
Riko Nakazono
Shigeko and other roles
Riko Nakazono is a London based Japanese actor, dancer, puppeteer, and singer. After graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC, she originated a role in The Secret Silk, a musical produced by Stephen Schwartz. Riko has performed internationally, working with renowned companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Whole Hog Theatre, English National Opera, Blind Summit, Vereinigte Bühnen Wien (Vienna), The 92nd Street Y (NYC), and Princess Cruises. Theatre credits include: My Neighbour Totoro (Royal Shakespeare Company & Improbable), Miss Saigon (Vienna), Madame Butterfly (English National Opera), The Garden of Words (Whole Hog Theatre), The Secret Silk (Princess Cruises), and Caligula and the Sea (Vault Festival, London). In 2023, Riko performed as Shigeko and the Woman in THE MISTAKE by Michael Mears (Essential Theatre) during its UK nationwide tour across 28 venues. This year she performed THE MISTAKE in 8 venues in the USA including a three week run off-Broadway. TV and film credits include: Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream (ITV) and, most recently, The Head (Series 3) as series regular Keiko (HBO Max & Hulu Japan).
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Michael Mears
Leo Szilard, General Tibbets and other roles
Michael Mears
Leo Szilard, General Tibbets and other roles
Michael Mears was born in London, where he still lives. He has been working as a professional actor for four decades, in theatre, film and television. He has worked for all the major theatre companies, including the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Peter Hall Company, and performed in London’s West End on numerous occasions, most notably for nine months in the long-running hit The Woman In Black. TV work includes Sharpes Rifles (three series), The Lenny Henry Show (two series), Parades End, Sanditon and The Crown. Film work includes Four Weddings and a Funeral, Little Dorrit, The Good Soldier Schwejk and Last Night In Soho. Michael is best known as a writer of original solo plays. He has written three solo plays for the stage and seven solo plays for BBC Radio 4, all of which were performed by himself. His 1990’s play about homelessness, SOUP, won a Scotsman Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival. His recent acclaimed solo play THIS EVIL THING, depicting the struggle of Britain’s WW1 conscientious objectors, was performed by him over 100 times between 2016-2019 in many parts of the UK and in the USA in nine states including in Washington DC and in New York City. THE MISTAKE is Michael’s first play for two actors. Performed by himself and a young Japanese actor, it played to acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022 and had sold-out runs at London’s Arcola Theatre in early 2023. It then toured to 28 venues across the UK and this year it played in 8 venues in the USA including a three week run off-Broadway.
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Rosamunde Hutt
Director
Rosamunde Hutt
Director
Rosamunde Hutt has led or co-led three major companies, Hijinx Theatre 1990-1993; Theatre Centre, Director, 1993 -2007; Unicorn, Associate Artistic Director, 2007-2011; and is Artistic Director of Pursued By A Bear for whom she recently directed the production of Nothing on Earth (2023) and 5 Nothing on Earth: Shorts, digital films, all by Anna Reynolds. Her production of Love, Bombs and Apples by Hassan Abdulrazzak visited the USA twice, winning Outstanding Production at the Theatre Bay Area Awards 2018 (Golden Thread Theatre, San Francisco 2018, & Kennedy Centre, Washington DC 2019 World Stages season /AIK Productions/Turtle Key Arts). Other recent credits include New Nigerians by Oladipo Agboluaje (Arcola Theatre London/UK tour), and Jabala and the Jinn by Asif Khan (AIK/Belgrade Theatre Coventry/Turtle Key/UK tour). THE MISTAKE is her third collaboration with Michael Mears and Essential Theatre. She previously directed Michael’s solo play THIS EVIL THING, which following performances at the Edinburgh Festival and through the UK, played 17 venues in the USA in 2018; and directed his solo play The Priest’s Tale. She has worked as a director in India, Romania, Japan and Bangladesh, and specialises in new writing. In 2024 she directed and taught at Goldsmiths University, London and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and for the Roger Williams University, London Study Abroad Programme.
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Michael Mears
Writer/Producer
Michael Mears
Writer/Producer
Michael Mears was born in London, where he still lives. He has been working as a professional actor for four decades, in theatre, film and television. He has worked for all the major theatre companies, including the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Peter Hall Company, and performed in London’s West End on numerous occasions, most notably for nine months in the long-running hit The Woman In Black. TV work includes Sharpes Rifles (three series), The Lenny Henry Show (two series), Parades End, Sanditon and The Crown. Film work includes Four Weddings and a Funeral, Little Dorrit, The Good Soldier Schwejk and Last Night In Soho. Michael is best known as a writer of original solo plays. He has written three solo plays for the stage and seven solo plays for BBC Radio 4, all of which were performed by himself. His 1990’s play about homelessness, SOUP, won a Scotsman Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival. His recent acclaimed solo play THIS EVIL THING, depicting the struggle of Britain’s WW1 conscientious objectors, was performed by him over 100 times between 2016-2019 in many parts of the UK and in the USA in nine states including in Washington DC and in New York City. THE MISTAKE is Michael’s first play for two actors. Performed by himself and a young Japanese actor, it played to acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022 and had sold-out runs at London’s Arcola Theatre in early 2023. It then toured to 28 venues across the UK and this year it played in 8 venues in the USA including a three week run off-Broadway.
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Maria Pattinson
Associate Producer
Maria Pattinson
Associate Producer
Maria is a theatre director, coach, writer and facilitator. Her career started with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she worked with John Barton on epic Greek drama, and trained as a theatre director under Mike Alfreds. Since then, Maria has focused on the development of new work that weaves physical theatre, music and text. She has expertise in making theatre in unconventional spaces: including directing outdoor productions and promenade productions. She also has extensive experience leading community arts projects that increase diversity and access to high quality creative experiences. She is a lead facilitator for Mimar Theatre in Birmingham where she works with diverse communities on heritage, wellbeing and regeneration projects.
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Richard Williamson
Lighting Designer
Richard Williamson
Lighting Designer
Previous work as lighting designer includes: The Olivier-award winning Rotterdam (West End/Off-Broadway/UK National Tour); Dogs of Europe (Belarus Free Theatre at Barbican Theatre and international tour); Richard III, An Arab Tragedy (RSC Swan Theatre/International tour); Sampled and Danse Élargie (Sadler’s Wells); Great Expectations (UK tour); Little Miss Sunshine (Arcola Theatre and UK Tour); New Nigerians, Drones Baby Drones, Shrapnel, Mare Rider, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, THE MISTAKE (Arcola Theatre and UK tour.)
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Claire Windsor
Sound Designer
Claire Windsor
Sound Designer
Claire is currently a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company Sound department. Her sound design credits in theatre include: BETTY! A SORT OF MUSICAL, HAPPY DAYS, THREE SISTERS, MONSTER, JONAH AND OTTO, PALACE OF THE END, FLAGS, MOJO MICKY BO, 0.0008, PUB, POWDERMONKEY, LONDON ASSURANCE (Royal Exchange Theatre); RICHARD III, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, THE WHIP, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, TAMBURLAINE, THE DUCHESS OF MALFI, IMPERIUM, DIDO, QUEEN OF CARTHAGE, LOVE FOR LOVE, THE JEW OF MALTA, THE RAPE OF LUCRECE, DOCTOR FAUSTUS, SNOW IN MIDSUMMER (Royal Shakespeare Company); OUR LADY OF KIBEHO (Royal & Derngate/Theatre Royal Stratford East).
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Mark Friend
Set Designer
Mark Friend
Set Designer
Mark studied theatre design at Wimbledon School of Art, UK. As Associate Designer: work with Alison Chitty includes Peter Hall’s Bacchae (National Theatre, and Festival of Epidavros, Greece); Shakespeare In Love with Nick Ormerod and director Declan Donnellan; The Nutcracker at Houston Ballet and Elf at the Dominion Theatre, both with designer Tim Goodchild. Mark’s own design work includes: King John directed by Sir Trevor Nunn, The World Festival of Black Arts and Culture in Senegal, and Nation (National Theatre, with director Melly Still). Touring designs include Michael Mears’ This Evil Thing and The Mistake. Mark is co-artistic director of the Paint the Lyric Festival in Ithaca, Greece where he directs and runs mask making and performance workshops.
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Kate Godfrey
Voice Coach
Kate Godfrey
Voice Coach
Kate trained as a voice coach at The Central School of Speech & Drama, London and became a member of staff at The Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She joined the National Theatre in 2001 and works on productions in London’s West End, and with repertory companies throughout the UK. In 2015 Kate became head of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Voice department and now works as a freelance voice and dialect coach. Recent work includes Prima Facie, (National Theatre, London and New York) starring Jodie Comer, and Elektra (West End, London) starring Brie Larson.
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Simon Richardson
Artwork and Production Photography
Book your tickets
Event Instance Listings
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Wed 15 Oct
7pm
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Thu 16 Oct
7pm
Post-show talk
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Fri 17 Oct
7pm
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Sat 18 Oct
3.30pm
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Sat 18 Oct
7pm
