The dystopian world of Panem comes to thrilling life in Matthew Dunster's spectacular stage adaptation of The Hunger Games, now running at London's Troubadour Canary Wharf theatre. This ambitious production brings Suzanne Collins' brutal universe to the stage with breathtaking visuals and high-energy action, though some emotional connections prove elusive amid the dazzling spectacle.
A Grand-Scale Dystopian World
From the opening moments, audiences are transported to the grim reality of Panem, where the wealthy Capitol forces children from outlying districts to fight to the death in an annual televised event. The production opens with a luminous bow hovering in darkness, setting the stage for Mia Carragher's portrayal of Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant heroine from District 12 who volunteers as tribute to save her younger sister.
Closely following the plot of Collins' first novel and the 2012 film starring Jennifer Lawrence, the stage version creates an immersive arena experience. The theatre itself becomes part of the gameshow, with the audience positioned as citizens of the Capitol watching the deadly competition unfold. Miriam Buether's fast-changing set design and moving blocks of seats enhance this feeling of immersion, making spectators complicit in the brutal entertainment.
Visual Spectacle Versus Emotional Depth
The production excels in its technical achievements and visual storytelling. An array of screens, thundering cannon sounds marking each tribute's death, and a gantry representing the tree Katniss climbs create a fully realized gameshow environment. The costume design by Moi Tran mixes 1960s influences with commedia dell'arte and alien-chic elements, while Charlotte Broom's energetic choreography keeps the action moving at a rapid pace.
However, Conor McPherson's adaptation struggles to balance this spectacle with emotional resonance. The first half, which establishes the gameshow premise and introduces the characters, lacks the necessary tension and dread as the tributes prepare for their deadly competition. While Katniss's internal monologue from the book is preserved, it often serves exposition rather than deepening emotional connection.
Character Relationships and Performances
Mia Carragher brings a fresh-faced physicality to Katniss Everdeen, wisely avoiding imitation of Jennifer Lawrence's screen performance. Her signature plait intact, Carragher embodies the character's determination and survival instincts. Euan Garrett plays Peeta Mellark, Katniss's fellow District 12 tribute, though their romantic connection fails to generate sufficient chemistry on stage.
More affecting is Katniss's brief friendship with Rue, portrayed by Aiya Agustin, which provides one of the production's emotional highlights. Supporting characters including Cinna (Nathan Ives-Moiba), Effie (Tamsin Carroll), and Haymitch (Joshua Lacey) deliver capable impressions of their screen counterparts but lack development time in the fast-paced narrative.
John Malkovich appears on screen as President Snow, offering a different interpretation than Donald Sutherland's film portrayal - more blank-eyed and Spock-like than lugubriously contemptuous. However, his cameo feels somewhat flat, constrained by the two-dimensional format.
The Thrilling Second Half
The production truly comes alive after intermission when the Hunger Games begin in earnest. The stage transforms into a brutal killing field where light, sound, and movement combine forcefully to create a frenzied combat environment. The athletic tributes demonstrate impressive physicality, though their daggers and bow-and-arrow tricks sometimes evoke the cheesy aesthetic of 1990s television's Gladiators rather than modern-day child soldiers.
This second half successfully captures the story's darker themes, at times serving as a powerful analogy for real-world child soldiers. The production excels in action sequences and creates moments of genuine tension as the body count rises and Katniss's survival strategies become increasingly desperate.
While not consistently as eye-popping as the stage version of Stranger Things, this adaptation bursts with creativity in its best moments. The ending leaves room for sequels, suggesting the burning girl may well return to the London stage. For fans of the franchise, the spectacle alone may justify the ticket, though those seeking deeper emotional engagement might find the odds not entirely in their favour.
The Hunger Games: On Stage continues at Troubadour Canary Wharf theatre in London until October, offering audiences a chance to experience Panem's brutal universe in an innovative theatrical format that makes clever use of its arena-like venue.
