THE HUNGER GAMES Stage Adaptation Heads to London in Fall 2024

Conor McPherson, the five-time Tony nominee behind the plays Girl From the North Country and The Seafarer, is set to adapt Suzanne Collins' trilogy The Hunger Games into a straight play. This marks the franchise's first-ever live stage adaptation, and is currently set to debut on London's West End fall 2024.

London stage veteran Matthew Dunster, of 2:22 - A Ghost Story, Hangmen, and The Pillowman, is set to direct the play, which is moving forward with the blessing of Collins, whose work has already been adapted for the screen to much acclaim.

McPherson is adapting both the first book and its film version into the play, which is being produced by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Oliver Royds for BOS Productions, and Isobel David, by arrangement with Lionsgate.

“I’m very excited to be collaborating with the amazing team of Conor McPherson and Matthew Dunster as they bring their dynamic and innovative interpretation of The Hunger Games to the London stage,” said Collins when announcing the project.

The play's creative team includes scenic design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Moi Train, choreography by Charlotte Broom, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, video design by Tal Rosner, fight direction by Kev McCurdy, performer flying by John Maddox for Suspended Illusioms, casting by Amy Ball, and production management by Gary Beestone.

‍The Hunger Games, with three novels in the series including the first, Catching Fire and then Mockingjay, has grossed nearly $3 billion in global box office with its film adaptations released from 2012-2015. The latest installment of the film franchise, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, hits theaters November 17.

Set in a dystopian future, The Hunger Games ignite a thrilling battle for survival, where 24 young tributes are pitted against each other in a deadly arena. Katniss Everdeen (played by Lawrence in the film series), a fearless and resourceful heroine, emerges as a symbol of rebellion as she fights not only for her life but for the hope of a nation oppressed by a ruthless Capitol.

“To receive Suzanne Collins’ blessing to adapt The Hunger Games for the stage is both humbling and inspiring,” McPherson said. “She has created a classic story which continues to resonate now more than ever. In a world where the truth itself seems increasingly up for grabs, The Hunger Games beautifully expresses values of resilience, self-reliance and independent moral inquiry for younger people especially. This is turbo charged storytelling of the highest order and I’m hugely excited to bring it to a new generation of theatre goers and to Suzanne Collins’ longstanding and devoted fans.”

Said Dunster: “This might be the most exciting work call I’ve ever had. As soon as the producers said the title, I just said ‘Stop! I’m in’. I loved the Lionsgate film and the brutal and emotional power of this dystopian classic. My children had their heads in the books at the time (it’s definitely the only work call of mine they’ve been excited about) so I stole them and I came to appreciate the beauty of Suzanne Collins’ storytelling. And then to add one of our greatest living playwrights, Conor McPherson, and experience him honouring the voice of Katniss Everdeen so rigorously has been a great privilege. This is theatre. It’s The Hunger Games in the theatre. And with the world class team we have put together we aim to do something that is fully immersed in the novel and the film but is uniquely, thrillingly theatrical.”

For more information, visit https://thehungergamesonstage.com/.