Theatre / Hiroshima
REVIEW: The Mistake, Tobacco Factory Theatres – ‘A story that should never be forgotten, expertly done’
It’s been a year where the atomic bomb has dominated the cultural zeitgeist. The main cinematic war of the summer clashed together two titans – Barbie and J. Robert Oppenheimer. Often called the father of the atomic bomb, his life was suddenly seared into the minds of many through Christopher Nolan’s film.
However, Oppenheimer’s lens only shows only one side of the story. Other perspectives include those involved in the development of nuclear weapons as well as the Japanese people themselves.
The Mistake is a fresh new play that dazzled last year at the Edinburgh Fringe and is now on tour around the UK. Centering on the history of the atomic bomb from the perspective of Leo Szilard, it also interweaves the story of a young woman affected by the dropping of the Little Boy bomb on Hiroshima.
is needed now More than ever
Leo Szilard was a Hungarian-German-American physicist and inventor who conceived of the idea of nuclear chain reaction, the fundamental idea that resulted in the Manhattan Project.
It is extremely interesting in the play to see a story that people know through a less familiar lens, as Szilard rallies against the results of his theories being tested against cities without warning.
Michael Mears as Leo Szilard
Set in stark contrast is a story that has been told many times: the results of the bomb in Hiroshima. And while the details have been recorded and portrayed many times, they are never not harrowing to listen to and watch.
Michael Mears, who is also the writer, takes on various roles including Leo Szilard, General Paul Tibbets (pilot of the Enola Gay aircraft that dropped the bomb), Enrico Fermi, F.D. Roosevelt, J. Robert Oppenheimer and even Albert Einstein.
Michael Mears and Riko Nakazono
This multi-roleing is successful for the most part, especially when playing Szilard and Tibbets, although sometimes the performances borders on caricature when portraying the others.
Another small nitpick is the two instances where the play breaks the fourth wall and the actors directly address the audience; it’s a device that can work well, but is first, and then re-introduced somewhat confusingly here.
Michael Mears and Riko Nakazono
Otherwise, the play captivates. Riko Nakazono is astonishing in her role as the Hiroshima survivor Nomura, deftly taking the time to establish her personality before the bomb drops, making the aftermath even more staggering.
The use of props and smart but simple stage design are very effective. A blackboard is used to portray scientific formulas and concepts on one side, while the reverse has Japanese-style art to reflect Hiroshima both before and after the bomb.
Riko Nakazono
The whiteboard even turns on its side at one point, cannily becoming the wings of the Enola Gay.
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.
The Mistake (age recommendation 15+) is touring the UK; for more information and future dates, visit www.michaelmears.org.
All photos: Simon Richardson
Read more: Tobacco Factory Theatres reimagines Oliver Twist for Christmas 2023
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