4 – 5 June
A new play about Hiroshima and the first atomic bomb, The Mistake – written and performed by Michael Mears – brings a compelling and profoundly moving performance to Bath’s Ustinov Studio on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th June, direct from a six-week tour of the USA. Winner of the Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Fringe Award at Edinburgh in 2022, this 2025 tour marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Directed by Rosamunde Hutt, The Mistake explores personal stories surrounding this catastrophic event, starring writer Michael Mears as Hungarian scientist Leo Szilard, appearing alongside Riko Nakazono who plays a young woman living in war-time Hiroshima.
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 occurring, while Shigeko Nomura, a young woman living in Hiroshima, must use every last ounce of energy to rescue her parents, surviving her city’s destruction.
“The past comes alive… a gripping piece of storytelling.” The Times
Writer and performer Michael Mears said: “We have just returned from a six-week tour to the USA and New York, where The Mistake made a big impact on American audiences but are excited to now bring the play back to UK audiences. This is a powerful drama about events leading up to the first atomic bomb 80 years ago, still highly relevant to today’s world, and a production full of surprises.”
Michael Mears was last seen at the Ustinov Studio in This Evil Thing in 2018. He has performed extensively with the RSC, at the National Theatre, and his West End credits include The Goodbye Girl, You Never Can Tell and The Woman in Black. Michael’s Main House credits at the Theatre Royal Bath include The Herbal Bed in 2016, Thérèse Raquin in 2014, A Little Hotel on the Side in 2013, The Tempest in 2012, and, with The Peter Hall Company, You Never Can Tell in 2005, Habeas Corpus and Measure for Measure in 2006, and Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 in 2011. His film and television work includes Parade’s End, Sharpe’s Rifles, The Old Curiosity Shop, Private Peaceful, Four Weddings and A Funeral and Little Dorrit with recent appearances in The Crown and Disney’s Andor.
Riko Nakazono is a London based Japanese actor, dancer, puppeteer and singer. Since graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC, she has performed internationally and worked with the Oscar, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning composer, Stephen Schwartz, and with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her theatre credits also include My Neighbour Totoro (RSC & Improbable); Miss Saigon (Vienna); and Madame Butterfly (ENO).
Tickets for all performances at the Ustinov Studio are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov
Photograpy credit: Simon Richardson
This listing appears on our front page until 11:55pm on Thursday June 5th, 2025
