A new theater is set to debut in Canary Wharf, London, showcasing the long-awaited world premiere of The Hunger Games, inspired by Suzanne Collins’ popular 2008 novel and the successful film released in 2012.
The adaptation by Irish playwright Conor McPherson presents the tale of teenagers battling for survival in a televised competition, with previews commencing on October 20. The purpose-built Troubadour Canary Wharf theater boasts 1,200 seats and is operated by the same company behind the popular Starlight Express revival at Wembley Park, known for its roller-skating performers interacting with the audience. The production of The Hunger Games has been similarly crafted to immerse theatergoers in the heart of the narrative.
Tristan Baker and Oliver Royds, the co-founders and joint CEOs of Troubadour Theatres, expressed that the performance aims to provide “a transportive and electrifying experience that authentically showcases the scale, intensity, and drama of Suzanne Collins’ universe. Every aspect—from the design to the technology—has been meticulously crafted to place audiences right in the midst of the Games like never before.”
Initially slated for a London debut in autumn 2024, McPherson’s involvement as the adapter was announced in October 2023. Ten years ago, film studio Lionsgate first revealed plans for a theatrical rendition of The Hunger Games, which promised “innovative and immersive staging techniques.”
McPherson noted the joy he has experienced in observing the show’s theatrical language evolve through dynamic workshops. Director Matthew Dunster and choreographer Charlotte Broom, both collaborators from their previous work at Shakespeare’s Globe and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, are joining forces for what is expected to be a highly physical production. The set design will be handled by Miriam Buether, known for her recent work on Stranger Things: The First Shadow in the West End.
Collins remarked that the play’s “dynamic staging offers the audience a fresh lens through which to engage with the story.” Dunster characterized McPherson’s adaptation as “taut and dangerous,” emphasizing that it “respects the young voice of Katniss Everdeen,” a role famously portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence in the films.
“As a father to a teenager myself,” McPherson added, “it’s particularly rewarding to work on a narrative with themes of resilience and moral integrity that resonate with young people during these uncertain times.” Tickets for The Hunger Games: On Stage will be available for purchase starting March 27.
The four novels in the Hunger Games series have collectively sold over 100 million copies. A prequel titled Sunrise on the Reaping is set to be published next month, with its film adaptation scheduled for release in November 2026.
