London News
Hunger Games Stage Play Begins World Premiere in London October 20
Mia Carragher is leading the cast as Katniss Everdeen in Conor McPherson’s adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ novel.
Mia Carragher
Danny Kaan
Previews for the new stage version of bestselling book The Hunger Games begin October 20 at Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre in London, and may the odds be ever in their favor. The theatre is purpose-built especially for the production, which has been staged in the round. Opening night will be November 12.
The play is adapted (by Conor McPherson) from the first in Suzanne Collins’ epic, dystopian book series, set in a future in which children from poverty-stricken districts are selected via a lottery to participate in a televised death match. Everything is thrown into disarray when Katniss Everdeen is chosen as tribute from her district and rises to become the head of a new rebellion.
Mia Carragher is leading the cast as Katniss Everdeen, with Euan Garrett as Peeta Mellark, Joshua Lacey as Haymitch Abernathy, Tristan Waterson as Gale Hawthorne, Tamsin Carroll as Effie Trinket, Stavros Demetraki as Caesar Flickerman, Nathan Ives-Moiba as Cinna and Mayor, Sophia Ally as Prim Everdeen, Ruth Everett as Mrs. Everdeen, Aiya Agustin as Rue, Liana Cottrill as Clove, Lewis Easter as Marvel, Marcellus Hill as Thresh, Jessica Lee as Tippet, Mariana Lewis as Glimmer, Felipe Pacheo as Cato, Redmond Rance as Stele, Mark Samaras as Drove, Artemis Stamouli as Fossa, and Rory Toms as Fila. John Malkovich appears as President Snow in pre-filmed scenes that play on screens during the performance.
The company also includes ensemble members Alexandra Barredo, Imogen Brooke, and Felix Garcia Guyer plus swings Geo Bailey, Kyerron Dixon-Bassey, Matthew Ives, Kiera Milward, and Nathanael Saleh.
The project was first unveiled in 2023, and was initially expected to premiere last fall. Matthew Dunster (Hangmen) is directing, leading a creative team that includes 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, illusion designer Chris Fisher, fight director Kev McCurdy, and arranger, music director, and additional composer James Maloney. Suspended Illusions handle performer flying, and casting is by Amy Ball.
Oliver Royds, Tristan Baker & Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Isobel David, and Umeda Arts Theater are producing, by arrangement with Lionsgate.
The play is the latest attempt to bring an action-adventure book series to the stage, following Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Lord of the Rings the Musical, and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, among others. While action has typically been difficult to bring to the live stage, the worldwide success of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, in particular, is likely inspiring similar efforts from other such properties.
Visit TheHungerGamesOnStage.com.
