🎭 The Hunger Games Stage Show – London Review
- Tom Norman
- Feb 7
- 3 min read
The Hunger Games Stage Show
Troubadour Theatre Canary Wharf
Running until October 25th 2026
Running Time: 2 Hours and 30 minutes including Interval
Last night I headed to London to see The Hunger Games – The Stage Show, and I’ve been really curious about how they’d translate such a cinematic story into live theatre. It’s a bold move taking something as visually huge as The Hunger Games and putting it on stage — but overall, it was an impressive and ambitious interpretation.
A Strong Theatrical Take on Panem
First things first — this is a good adaptation. The production clearly respects the source material and delivers a version that feels faithful to the film while still making it work theatrically. The fight scenes in particular were strong. They were tense, well-choreographed and cleverly staged without ever feeling chaotic or messy. Bringing that level of action safely to a live audience is no small feat, and it worked.
One of my favourite production elements was the scenery rising up from the floor. It added scale and surprise, and it helped create that sense of the arena constantly shifting. It felt dynamic and inventive — exactly what you’d want from a show based on such a visually striking world.
Another clever touch was the way the seating configuration shifted during parts of the show. Sections of seats moved to create more performance space, which made the arena feel larger and more immersive. It’s not something you see in every production, and it added to that feeling that the environment itself was changing around you — very fitting for the unpredictability of the Games.
Where It Fell Slightly Flat
That said, there were a couple of choices that didn’t quite land for me.
Katniss narrating during fight scenes was one of them. While I understand the intention — to keep us inside her thoughts — it slightly pulled me out of the tension. During moments that should feel urgent and instinctive, the narration softened the impact. Sometimes silence and action are more powerful than commentary.
Another element that didn’t quite work was the on-screen portrayal of President Snow. Because he appeared via screen rather than physically on stage, there was a noticeable lack of connection. The absence of direct eye contact with the cast reduced the menace and authority you’d expect from Snow. In such an intimate live environment, that presence really matters — and it felt like something was missing.
The Theatre & The Experience
The venue itself is fantastic. It’s always exciting to experience a new theatre space, and this one feels modern, well-designed and built to handle large-scale productions like this.
The only downside? Navigating the Canary Wharf rush hour on the Jubilee line. If you’re heading to an evening performance, give yourself extra time — the commuter crowds are no joke!
Merchandise & Overall Thoughts
The merchandise selection was also a pleasant surprise — plenty of choice and actually quite stylish (which isn’t always the case with theatre merch!).
Overall, this is a solid and visually impressive stage adaptation. It may not replace the cinematic power of the original film, but as a live experience, it stands confidently on its own. With strong staging, effective fight choreography and creative design, it’s well worth seeing — even if a few creative decisions didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
If you’re a fan of Panem, it’s definitely worth entering the arena.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
