Some stage shows have an inbuilt problem, especially if they are based on a massive book or film, and that is the expectation from the audience. Will it live up to the original? How will the creatives bring in certain elements that are so easy to visualise when reading but difficult to imagine on a stage? These questions and more are all there for The Hunger Games on Stage, which had its world premiere at the Troubadour Theatre. So I went along to see if the book could become a successful play.
In Panem, there are two types of people. Those in the Capitol live fun lives with nary a care in the world, while those in the 12 districts are subjugated, their lives dedicated to using the skills and resources to provide the Capitol citizens with everything they want. As if that isn’t bad enough, and as punishment for a failed rebellion, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each of the districts are selected by an annual lottery to participate in the Hunger Games, a contest in which the “Tributes” must fight to the death in an outdoor arena until only one remains. On what is known as reaping day, District 12, the poorest of the districts, is getting ready to find this year’s tributes. But before that, there are mouths to be fed, and 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Mia Carragher) and her friend Gale Hawthorne (Tristan Waterson) are outside the district fence hunting for game to eat and sell. On their return, Katniss returns home, where her mother, Mrs Everdeen (Ruth Everett), and 12-year-old sister Prim (Sophia Ally) are getting ready for the ceremony. At the reaping Capitol, escort Effie Trinket (Tamsin Carroll) pulls the names of the Tributes. To Katniss’ horror, Prim’s name is picked, so she steps in to volunteer in the sister’s place. The male Tribute is next, and baker’s son Peeta Mellark (Euan Garrett) is selected. The three of them, along with Effie and mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Joshua Lacey), head to the Capitol, where Katniss and Peeta get a makeover by their stylist Cinna (Nathan Ives-Moiba) and spend time training with the other 22 Tributes in preparation for a literal fight to the death.
Let’s go with the positives, of which there were many. For all those thinking, “I wonder how they will do xxx on stage,” Conor McPherson has adapted Suzanne Collins’ book beautifully. The Hunger Games on Stage is really faithful to the original story, with all the key elements included, but made acceptable to a mixed-age audience. So, the bloodbath at the Cornucopia is both frenetic with a lot of running around and realistic fighting (courtesy of Fight Director Kev McCurdy) but also contains an element of dance (Choreographer Charlotte Broom) to give the effect required without anyone actually dying. There were moments in the production that took the breath away – especially the entrance of Katniss and Peeta into the chariot drive in the Capitol. In fact, Miriam Buether’s Set is pretty spectacular and when combined with sound, lighting and video effects by Ian Dickinson, Lucy Carter and Tal Rosner, respectively, really bring District 12, the Capitol and the arena to life. Costume Designer Moi Tran has done a great job in demonstrating the difference between the districts – dull coloured working garb and hand-me-downs – and the Capitol – bright colours, excessive hair and make-up. This is really effective when Effy first arrives in District 12, looking totally out of place but also superior to the people around her.
And that brings us on to the actors. In this version, Katniss, as well as being the main protagonist, is also a kind of narrator, telling the audience what she is thinking as she goes from District 12 inhabitant to Hunger Games Tribute and beyond. And this works pretty well. Katniss is a difficult person to grasp in many respects. 15 years old and volunteering for the games despite being terrified, then forced, as so many in reality TV, to be someone she isn’t in a world that is completely alien to her and finally having to fight like an animal in a kill or be killed arena. Mia Carragher somehow manages to portray all these facets of Katniss and really throws herself into this very physical role. Carragher works really well with Euan Garrett as Peeta and their relationship – Peeta in love and Katniss pretending (or is she) is nicely played out to give the required star-crossed lovers effect. Tamsin Carroll and Joshua Lacey are very good as Effie and Haymitch, respectively. With Carroll not only being the Capitol representative bringing the tributes in but also displaying a certain, albeit small, amount of humanity as she sends her charges off to the games. Lacey plays drunk extremely well, and you feel his frustration at having to mentor these children so they are ready to make good TV, coupled with a dawning realisation that, this year he may have, if not winners, then definitely fighters on his hands. I’m also going to single out Stavros Demetraki as Caesar Flickerman, who, brilliantly to my mind, gets across the OTT, jolly insincerity of TV host Flickerman that is on view to the world, but also the steely-eyed, and potentially vicious ‘smiling knife’ member of the establishment who is answerable to President Snow.
And this is where we come to my one major problem with The Hunger Games on Stage. Someone must have thought that using John Malkovich on a pre-recorded video would work for President Snow. I’m afraid that, for me at least, it really didn’t. Although he looms over the stage, there is no real menace from the president because it doesn’t feel like he is there. The gaps between Malkovich’s dialogue, allowing another cast member to say something, feel unnaturally long, and the fact that he doesn’t look towards the other actors – especially when threatening specific characters – just make him disconnected and reduce the character’s ability to create fear. Not everyone will agree with me, I’m sure, but I ended up feeling rather let down by President Snow.
Overall, The Hunger Games on Stage is pretty impressive. The cast really work and the set, costumes, lighting etc do create a wonderful space which Director Matthew Dunster uses effectively. The story is excellently translated from the original book and the production manages to keep everyone – previous readers and HG virgins – on their toes with some really excellent physical tricks and a lot of surprises.
As an audience member, you are thrown into the world of Panem when you purchase your ticket and decide which district to sit in. And then you are part of the action, being members of Ceaser’s audience – complete with prompts on when to laugh, cry, clap – then as citizens of your district, watching as your tributes fall. Finally, and this is where it becomes slightly uncomfortable, you are always part of the elite. The ones that never take part in the games but enjoy the spectacle of seeing children fight to the death. You, the audience member, are complicit in the Capitol’s suppression and domination over the districts.
So, to sum up. The Hunger Games on Stage is a show that should be on everybody’s Christmas list. There’s still time to write to Santa asking for tickets for Christmas. Get that letter out today and may the odds be ever in your favour. Alternatively, get on the website and treat yourself to a really impressive and entertaining night of pure theatrical magnificence.
Review by Terry Eastham
In a dystopian future, The Hunger Games ignite a thrilling battle for survival, where 24 young tributes are pitted against each other in an arena to fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen, a fearless and resourceful heroine, emerges as a symbol of rebellion as she fights not only for her life but for the hope of a nation oppressed by a ruthless Capitol. In a brand-new epic stage production, The Hunger Games On Stage is a gripping tale of courage, defiance, and the unbreakable human spirit.
CAST
Mia Gallagher – Katniss Everdeen
Euan Garrett – Peeta
Joshua Lacey – Haymitch
Tristan Waterson – Gale
Sophia Ally – Prim / Tribute (Heddle)
Ruth Everett – Mrs Everdeen / Ensemble
Tamsin Carroll – Effie Trinket
Stavros Demetraki – Caesar Flickerman
Nathan Ives-Moiba – Cinna / Mayor
Aiya Agustin – Tribute (Rue)
Liana Cottrill – Tribute (Clove)
Lewis Easter – Tribute (Marvel)
Felix Garcia Guyer – Chief of Staff / Ensemble
Marcellus Hill – Tribute (Thresh)
Jessica Lee – Tribute (Tippet)
Mariana Lewis – Tribute (Glimmer)
Kiera Milward – Swing / 1st Cover Katniss
Felipe Pacheco – Tribute (Cato)
Redmand Rance – Tribute (Stele)
Mark Samaras – Tribute (Drove)
Artemis Stamouli – Tribute (Fossa)
Rory Toms – Tribute (Fila)
Geo Bailey, Alex Barredo – Ensemble
Imogen Brooke, Kyerron Dixon-Bassey, Matthew Ives, Nathanael Saleh – Swings
John Malkovich – President Snow (Appearing on screen)
CREATIVE TEAM
Adapted by Conor McPherson
Director – Matthew Dunster
Set Designer – Miriam Buether
Costume Designer – Moi Tran
Choreographer – Charlotte Broom
Lighting Designer – Lucy Carter
Sound Designer – Ian Dickinson for Autograph
Video Designer – Tal Rosner
Illusions – Chris Fisher
Fight Director – Kev McCurdy
Performer Flying and Special Effects – John Maddox for Suspended Illusions Ltd
Arranger, Musical Director and Additional Compositions – James Maloney
Casting Director – Amy Ball CDG
Associate Director – James Robert Moore
Associate Set Designer – Luke Smith
Associate Costume Designer – Evelien Van Camp
Associate Lighting Designer – Tom Johnson
Associate Sound Designer – Gareth Tucker
Associate Fight Director – Maisie Carter
THE HUNGER GAMES ON STAGE
Based on the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and the Lionsgate motion picture The Hunger Games
Troubadour Canary Wharf
Currently booking to October 2026
