Online theatre - Two tales from survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Source: CND/Pax Christi

To mark the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Sands Films Studios Theatre, Rotherhite, present live streamed performances telling the story of two people who survived - a Jesuit priest and a young doctor.

THE PRIEST'S TALE is an adaptation by actor/playwright Michael Mears of one of the survivor's accounts from John Hersey's classic book HIROSHIMA.

Father Wilhelm was a German Jesuit priest living in Hiroshima at the time of the first atomic bombing. His account is a compelling and clear-eyed description of his experiences that day and in the subsequent months and years - told with compassion and warmth.

At 7.30pm on August 6th, the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima bomb, Michael Mears will perform this story live, with live violin accompaniment by Chihiro Ono. (Duration approx. 55 mins.) Directorial supervision by Rosamunde Hutt. This event is co-hosted by the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre.

See: https://vimeo.com/438259377 or www.facebook.com/events/934559037019595/

THE DOCTOR'S TALE is a version by actor/playwright Michael Mears of NAGASAKI 1945, an account by a young doctor working in a small hospital in Nagasaki at the time of the second atomic bomb, detailing how he and his few staff, with very limited supplies, survived that day and the following weeks.

At 7.30pm on August 9th, the 75th anniversary of the Nagasaki bomb,

Japanese actor Leo Ashizawa will give a livestreamed reading of this story, with support from Michael Mears and with live musical accompaniment by Chihiro Ono. (Duration approx. 75 minutes.)

See: https://vimeo.com/438273483 or www.facebook.com/events/3587327054630140/

The organisers hope to raise money through donations to offer the two Japanese performers payment, for Sands Films streaming the event, and for CND.