The Hunger Games: On Stage
Rating: ★★
Venue: Troubadour Canary Wharf
Cast:  Mia Carragher, Euan Garrett, Joshua Lacey, Tristan Waterson, Sophia Ally, Ruth Everett, Tamsin Carroll, Stavros Demetraki and Nathan Ives-Moiba 

Based on the original “Hunger Games” story, this gripping tale of courage, defiance and unbreakable human spirit, follows the fearless heroine Katniss Everdeen on her journey of self-discovery, as she emerges as a beacon of rebellion and hope. Multi award-winning playwright Conor McPherson and Director Matthew Dunster, will bring this powerful story to life on stage, using extraordinary stunts and illusions in an epic, unforgettable, theatrical experience. 

In a year of film adaptations hitting the stage, none have generated more buzz than The Hunger Games. From the moment it was announced, questions flew around whether it could truly be translated to the stage, and a valiant attempt has certainly been made here. Whether it is successful or not depends on what you’re after. If it’s stunning visuals, clever technical effects, and breathtaking stunts, this show delivers on all fronts. For fans of the beloved franchise, though, there’s a lot left to be desired.

Walking into the auditorium of the purpose-built, brand-new Troubadour Theatre is an experience in itself. The lighting and the bow and arrow hanging over the stage make it feel like the show begins the minute you get to your seat. When the lights dim and Mia Carragher as Katniss takes the stage, the multiple screens around the space come alive with images of District 12.

The same screens are used throughout the show to varying degrees of success. Some of the graphics helped transport the audience to Panem, while others were reminiscent of old video games, breaking the immersion. The main issue was the lack of consistency scene to scene, which is symptomatic of the production’s biggest flaw: the lack of coherence.

Tonally we are bounced from eerily quiet moments to cartoonish, pantomime-esque numbers with contemporary dance moves that, although impressive, feel completely out of place. This is particularly evidenced in Act Two, when the games actually begin, and when a battle breaks out only to be interrupted by dance numbers which simmer the tension back down to less than a rumble. It’s a real shame, too, because the fighting co-ordination and choreography are stunning, interpreted by a very capable ensemble, and when it works, it truly blows the air out of your lungs.

Speaking of breathtaking, two performances really stood out: Euan Garrett as the perfect Peeta Mellark, and Stavros Demetraki as Caesar Flickerman. Move aside, Stanley Tucci—this performance might be even more iconic than the one from the Lionsgate films we all know and love, which is saying a lot.

To capture the first book of the successful series in a two-hour-and-thirty-minute run time is a massive undertaking, and the writing in this case fell short of the mark. At times rushed, at others clunky and unnatural, it relies on telling far more than showing and overuses certain tropes like the jarring interruptions of our protagonist’s inner monologue by other characters entering the scene.

It could be due to the constraints of theatre, but we are also left with a paper-thin cast of characters with little depth and just recognisable by their name. Still, I feel more could have been achieved with the precious minutes spent on unnecessary dance numbers to flesh out the rest of the characters a bit more.

Mia Carragher is tasked with the titanic job of bringing Katniss to life. Even though her athleticism is top-notch, the writing lets her performance down, as the character doesn’t evolve, and there’s no space for the emotional nuance needed to truly make the audience empathise. With that connection lost, it’s easy to disengage from the story, and the show is reduced to a very impressive display of technical and physical prowess. For that, though, I’d recommend checking out Cirque du Soleil. If it’s compelling storytelling that you are after, this might be a miss.