The Hunger Games: On Stage
Review by Brad
⭐
The Hunger Games is an iconic IP; one of the defining dystopian YA novels of all time, with an equally beloved movie adaptation. So surely it would work on stage as well...?
From the opening sequence, a sense of departure from the source material is felt. Katniss Everdeen, known for her independence, reserve, and struggle with emotional vulnerability, is unrecognisable. Her established profile is torn to shreds as soon as the character begins a relentless monologue in the opening moments, which ultimately fails to capture the intriguing and reserved nature of the heroine. The movie is an excellent example of ‘show not tell’, whereas this theatrical adaptation sadly decides to ‘show and yell’ any and every detail, leaving no room for nuance.
Set in the new purpose-built Troubadour Theatre in Canary Wharf, the production is admirably ambitious, with so many technical elements which ultimately end up distracting audiences from the poorly executed script. The innovative moving seats, designed to transform the stage into the arena, sadly make little impact on the production itself and by the curtain call left me wishing my seat would take me elsewhere. Speaking of which, John Malkovich's heavily advertised virtual involvement feels woefully unnecessary, adding little flair to an already flawed and problematic show.
The musical and dance sequences (yes, you read that right...), though likely intended to act as an eerie contrast highlighting the Capitol's celebrations of slaughter, merely evoke the feeling of an amateur pantomime, and sadly end up being all anyone can talk about when leaving the building. Even the costumes feel reminiscent of an amateur production of the Hunger Games - however the venue’s usher’s uniforms are immaculate.
Sadly this 'new and exciting' production lacks the pizazz it advertises to justify such high-ticket prices. Perhaps this piece won’t fall quite so flat with multiple re-writes and if performed in an am-dram setting... Unfortunately, The Hunger Games: On Stage was a huge misfire and to anyone going to see the production, may the odds be ever in your favour...