London Theatre Review: The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel turned film has just opened on stage for the first time, taking up residency at the purpose built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre in London. 

The Hunger Games: On Stage follows the story of the first Hunger Games novel and film. It has been adapted by Conor McPherson and is directed by Matthew Dunster.

The theatre’s location in the heart of London’s financial district surrounded by high-rise skyscrapers makes you feel like you are walking straight into the Capitol from Collins’ stories and this was further emphasised when sat in my ‘district’ looking down at a central stage surrounded by a number of audience members who had really dressed to look the part.

The first act takes the audience to the rural coal-mining community of District 12 in the dystopian future of Panem, where we are introduced to our heroine, Katniss Everdeen. She is played by Mia Carragher, making her stage debut in what is excellent casting that reflects the characterisation in both the novel and film.

From the perspective of Katniss we learn how she survives under the cruel, iron-fisted regime of the Capitol. We are introduced to her mother (Ruther Everett), her beloved little sister Prim (Sophia Ally) and close friend Gale Hawthorne (Tristan Waterson) on the day of the reaping (selection for the Hunger Games) for the annual gladiatorial-style competition between 24 children from across Panem. 

We experience the turmoil and pain of the characters, as Katniss desperately seeks to prevent her sister from entering the games, with Carragher’s emotion filling the auditorium. 

The iconic supporting characters from the film and book have been recreated for the production, from the extravagant and eclectic Effie Trinket (Tamsin Carroll) to the drunk yet insightful Haymitch Abernathy (Joshua Lacey) and we meet both for the first time at the reaping and the events that follows.

Both Carroll and Lacey play their characters very well. The charismatic Caesar Flickerman was another particularly notable character, with Stavros Demetraki doing an excellent job to turn himself into the games’ host made famous by Stanley Tucci in the film trilogy.

I would recommend seeing the production, whether you are a fan of the novels and films or the story is entirely new to you. It is a truly unique theatrical experience.

Despite the central stage being relatively small, the production uses platforms rising from the floor, suspended cables from the ceiling and choreographed movement of the supporting cast to create a changing set and different environments, from the rural woodland community in the opening scene, to the decadent and luxurious setting of the Capitol. Moving blocks of seating change the layout of the stage and transition between different scenes.

Dunster and McPherson have not missed the mark with the story’s most memorable scenes, and I particularly enjoyed the choreographed training, which emphasised the contrast in brutality to the youthful innocence of tributes.

The opening of act two stood out most for me, from the suspense of the countdown to the visceral, blood-curdling screams which made us shiver. The cast presented the fear, anticipation and violence of the story for the theatre and they have perfected the most powerful stage combat. 

The cruelty of the fascist regime and their joy in watching suffering is depicted through faceless ‘game-makers’ and the omnipotent President Snow (John Malkovich) who appears on screen at various stages. As an audience we are seated as if we are part of the story; the audience watching on as the games unfold before us and this staging was unlike any production I have seen previously.

Katniss’ relationship with her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta, played by Euan Garrett felt genuine and emotional, as did her love for the games’ youngest tribute Rue (Aiya Agustin), eventually leading to the story’s symbol of rebellion, defiance and the whistle of the mockingjay. 

The soft-yet-despairing song, The Hanging Tree closes the show after the brutal acts of the games and I finished watching wanting to see more from the excellent cast. 

The combination of the purpose-built, immersive theatre, simple staging and a choreographed cast of performers made The Hunger Games: On Stage stand out among any other show I have seen.

I would recommend seeing the production, whether you are a fan of the novels and films or the story is entirely new to you. It is a truly unique theatrical experience.

The Hunger Games: On Stage is booking at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre until October 2026. Group bookings are available for band A - B tickets for Tuesday to Thursday evenings and Friday matinee performances.