Hunger Games on stage officially opened just under a month ago and  finally got a chance to see it. As a huge fan of the books I was apprehensive about seeing it and whilst I wasn’t anticipating a production identical to the books due to how different the 2 mediums are I was hoping for the show to emote the same feelings and the tension from Suzanne Collin’s book.

For those who have missed both the books and the movie the Hunger Games is a dystopian story where every year each of the 12 districts have to send a male and female tribute to compete in the Hunger Games where there can only be one winner and that is the last person alive in the arena. From District 12 for the 74^th Hunger Games it is Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark who end up as the Tributes and we follow their preparations and their journey throughout the games. 

The story itself, adapted by Conor McPherson sticks relatively faithfully to the book, of course some moments are enhanced and others glossed over due to the limited time on stage compared to a 380 page novel however there were moments that felt rushed and as such lacked tension or the gravitas given in the book. The relationship between Katniss and Rue was one of moments that suffered in this regard and as such I wasn’t really moved by their final moments together. Alos suffering was the  the feeling of jeopardy in the arena or lack of it and I never quite felt that I cared as much about Katniss as I did when reading the book. This lack of jeopardy, tension and coldness towards Katniss often meant that the heart of the book and what makes it so brilliant it lacking in this production.

The theatre design is both one of the shows biggest assets but also part of its downfall. The design makes the audience themselves feel like spectators of the games, the cast enter and exit among the audience and in various segments the audience are encouraged to clap and sheer as if they are citizens of the Capitol themselves, perhaps indicating just how easy it is to get caught up in spectacles such as this but equally the vastness of the theatre removes any feeling of intimacy and combined with the rushed script is the nail in the coffin for any emotion throughout the piece.

The most striking thing about the show is how visually impressive it is, the set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Moi Tran, the videos by Tal Rosner combined with illusions by Chris Fisher, fight choreography by Kev McCurdy all makes for a real feast for the eyes. The storyline demands a lot from the creatives behind the show, from costumes that need to appear to be on fire through to a variety of mutants let loose into the arena, and from key moments of action occurring on very different levels through to being able to demonstrate Katniss’ skill with a crossbow. All of these moment (and more) are executed brilliantly. The set coped brilliantly with the huge range of locations and demands from the district, to the TV studio and the arena itself. There was however the odd jarring moment with the staging relating to the tributes deaths which, on more than occasion the tribute who had just been killed simply stood up and walked off in plain sight, with so much technical wizardry and an illusionist credited in the programme it is a shame that these moments weren’t thought through in more detail.

The cast themselves were brilliant and Mia Carragher in her professional stage debut was a great choice for Katniss. She succeeds in shaking of an movie imitations and makes the role her own as she barely leaves the stage and it is easy to understand just why Peeta and Panem become so taken by her. Euan Garrett was Peeta and he balances the line between a young man in love without making it too sickly sweet.. Joshua Lacey with his portrayal of Katniss’ mentor Haymitch makes a lasting impression for all the right reasons and Aiya Agustin as Rue strikes the balance well as a young girl desperate for Katniss’ approval yet a force to be reckoned with in her own right.

Ultimately there is much to admire with the stage version of The Huger Games, with a technically ambitious and often visually arresting adaptation that certainly understands the scale of the books even if it doesn’t capture the emotional pulse. Without the tension and intimacy that makes this story so compelling however it feels more like a spectacle to observe rather than a story to be swept up in.

The Hunger Games on stage is currently booking until October 2026. You can find out more and book here.

If you like this review you might also like my reviews of Stranger Things The First Shadow, Cabaret and Moulin Rouge.