The Hunger Games is heading to the stage this year, marking the franchise’s first-ever live theatrical adaptation.
The production will open on October 20 at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, a newly launched 1,200-seat venue in London. Award-winning playwright Conor McPherson has reimagined Suzanne Collins’ debut novel for the stage, with acclaimed director Matthew Dunster leading the production. Casting details remain under wraps, so it’s still unknown who will portray Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Gale Hawthorne, and the other familiar faces from District 12 and the Capitol.
Collins, who first introduced readers to the dystopian world of Panem in 2008, expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “I’m thrilled that The Hunger Games is in the hands of gifted playwright Conor McPherson and accomplished director Matthew Dunster,” she said. “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.”
Past Adaptations of ‘The Hunger Games’
The Hunger Games franchise has maintained a strong cultural foothold since Collins’ trilogy became a global sensation. The novels — exploring themes of survival, rebellion, and authoritarianism — sparked a blockbuster film series, with Jennifer Lawrence leading the cast as Katniss.
The universe expanded further with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel following Coriolanus Snow’s early rise to power. The novel was adapted into a feature film starring Rachel Zegler and released by Lionsgate.
The story doesn’t end there. Collins is set to release another prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, later this year. This new installment will center on Haymitch Abernathy’s experience in the Second Quarter Quell, with a film adaptation already slated for 2026.
Stage adaptations of major franchises have become a growing trend. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has captivated audiences on Broadway and the West End, while Percy Jackson & The Olympians and Stranger Things have also made the leap from page and screen to the stage.
With the creative forces behind the Hunger Games stage adaptation, the production promises to offer a bold, immersive retelling of Katniss’ journey. Whether it captures the same intensity as the books and films remains to be seen, but fans will soon have the chance to experience the Games in a whole new way.
How do you feel about the new adaptation of The Hunger Games?
