'The Hunger Games' stage adaptation announces dates, venue, and creative team

The Hunger Games follows the story of Katniss Everdeen, who sacrifices herself to save her sister, entering a tournament in which participants must fight to their deaths to win.

Conor McPherson will adapt Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games for the stage, with performances beginning at new venue Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre on 20 October.

McPherson, whose work includes Girl from the North Country and The Brightening Air, which opens at the Old Vic in April, will work alongside director Matthew Dunster (2:22 - A Ghost Story, Hangmen, The Pillowman) to bring the first book from the series (and the first film) to life.

The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, who sacrifices herself to save her sister, entering a tournament in which participants must fight to their deaths to win.

The new 1,200-seat venue will be located in the heart of Canary Wharf in London. It is said audience members at the new venue "will feel like a part of the action in a dynamic in the round venue, developed with groundbreaking entertainment in mind."

Collins said: “I’m thrilled that The Hunger Games is in the hands of gifted playwright Conor McPherson and accomplished director Matthew Dunster. Connor has done a fantastic adaptation, which is quite unique from the screenplay. And Matthew’s immersive, dynamic staging gives the audience a brand-new way to experience the story.”

Dunster said: “Conor McPherson lifts the detail and power from the book and film and has provided us with the kind of taut and dangerous play he is renowned for. He honours the young voice of Katniss Everdeen and puts her front and centre. We've been workshopping the play for over a year with our world class creative team; carefully honing our theatrical vocabulary because we want to bring audiences something as impactful and edgy as Suzanne Collins’ novel and as passionate and exciting as the movie. But we are going to do it in our own way - in the theatre. We want our Hunger Games to be uniquely, thrillingly theatrical.”

McPherson added: “As a dad to a teenager myself, it’s especially gratifying working on a story whose values of resilience and moral courage speak to young people in these uncertain times. Our singular focus is to honour Suzanne Collins’ achievement with a faithful adaptation that’s as thrilling on stage as it is on the page. It’s been a great pleasure to watch the theatrical language of this show evolving through explosive workshops under Matthew Dunster’s inspired partnership with choreographer Charlotte Broom and their tireless team of young performers.”

The rest of the creative team includes Miriam Buether (set designer), Moi Tran (costume designer), Charlotte Broom (choreographer), Lucy Carter (lighting designer), Ian Dickinson for Autograph (sound designer), Tal Rosner (video designer), Chris Fisher (illusions), Kev McCurdy (fight director), Suspended Illusions (performer flying), and James Maloney (arranger, musical director, and additional compositions).

Check back for The Hunger Games tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: The Hunger Games artwork. (Courtesy of production)