THE MISTAKE (2025) by Michael Mears

Poster for "The Mistake" featuring a woman looking upwards with concern and a man holding a petition to the President of the United States. A B-29 bomber flies overhead against a backdrop of a large, stylized mushroom cloud.

From London, UK, The ESSENTIAL THEATRE presents

THE MISTAKE by Michael Mears
Prior to its three-week run off-Broadway in New York City
Introduced by Professor Gerard F. Powers

Join us for this special presentation of The Mistake (2025) at the University of Notre Dame before its off-Broadway run in New York. It tells the stories of a Hungarian scientist, an American pilot and a devoted Japanese daughter, in a gripping, moving and thought-provoking drama about the ‘mistake’ that launched our nuclear age.

When the decision is made to use the atomic bomb on Japan, Leo Szilard, tormented by his role in creating it, must do everything he can to prevent the catastrophe from occurring. When Shigeko Nomura, a young woman living in Hiroshima, survives her city’s destruction, she must use every last ounce of energy to reach and rescue her parents.

This event is free but ticketed. A talkback question and answer session will follow the production.

Reserve Tickets

Performed by Riko Nakazono and Michael Mears
Directed by Rosamunde Hutt
Set design by Mark Friend
Sound design by Claire Windsor

★★★★ ‘The past comes alive - a gripping piece of storytelling’ (THE TIMES)

★★★★★ ‘This production received one of the very few standing ovations I have seen at the Edinburgh Fringe. A dramatic treat. (UK THEATRE WEB)

★★★★ ‘A powerful examination of humanity in the wake of Hiroshima.’ (THE LIST)

'The story of Hiroshima and the history of nuclear weapons should never be forgotten, and The Mistake is a timeless and innovative look into that period, expertly done.' (BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE)

Reserve Tickets

This event is part of the ND Arts Festival hosted by the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. It is sponsored by the Nanovic Institute for European Studies and co-sponsored by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies.

Originally published at nanovic.nd.edu.