The new stage adaptation based on Suzanne Collins’s original book and the hit film will have its World Premiere next year.
This new stage adaptation of the hit book and film series will be heading to the West End in Autumn 2024, with dates and venue to be unveiled. It is set to be adapted for the stage by Conor McPherson (Girl from the North Country) and directed by Matthew Dunster (The Pillowman).
It has been confirmed that this stage adaptation will be based on the first book in Collins’ dystopian series, which concentrates on a world in which teenagers from different districts are forced to fight each other until the death for the entertainment of the aristocracy.
Talking about the news author Suzanne Collins said: “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.”
Meanwhile, the creative team working on the production is also set to include: 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), Kev McCurdy (fight director), John Maddox for Suspended Illusions (performer flying), Amy Ball (casting director), and Gary Beestone (production manager).
Connor McPherson commented: “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.”
Matthew Dunster concluded: “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.”
The first book was published in 2008, with two sequels and four feature films to follow. The latest film (the fourth) is a prequel, commissioned by Lionsgate and is set to be released in cinemas on the 17th November.
The stage adaptation is being produced by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Oliver Royds for BOS Productions and Isobel David, by arrangement with Lionsgate.
Further details about the stage adaptation will be announced soon.