Let the games begins
Christoforos Pastourma drops in on dystopia…
Think of Canary Wharf and one of the last things you imagine being there would be a performance venue. Not any more for now they have the purpose built, site specific, mission driven even, Canary Wharf Theatre (another addition to the Troubadour Theatre Group), home to The Hunger Games on Stage. The build up to this has been huge which is slightly odd when you realise that the films on which this is based is a story about children killing children to provide hideous TV entertainment. Then again we are often massively entertained by films, songs and other art forms that are at their core nothing but violent.
Conor McPherson’s adaption (from the original books of Suzanne Collins) stays true to the dystopian essence with a setting that sees the District 12 dwellers struggling to survive and feed themselves. Despite the depressing aura that permeates, the show explodes into a fast paced, visual spectacular that makes you forget and like a frenetic fairground ride spins you round, both physically (the vertiginous seating moves around at various moments) and psychologically as it conjures up set piece moments that are gobsmacking. It is loyal to the books but not slavishly so and McPherson cleverly uses the changes to move the story along.
Miriam Beuther’s set changes our perspective throughout, creating illusions that are like a colossal magic trick and set pieces that rise up from beneath the stage, the train being an incredible highlight. Special effects blending with stagecraft, live performance and video in this way is so much more exciting than watching a film. Chris Fisher is the man behind these illusions and another effect that made me and my young son gasp was seeing arrows go pinging into the bullseye of their intended targets. At that point I mentioned Robin Hood and he just raised his eyebrows.
Equally impactful is the use of the original music. Reusing the Capital theme, the Mockingjay tune, and for me, most pleasingly Hanging Tree, the latter of which has become more famous because of its use in BBC show ‘The Traitors’. When it is played at the end it is genuinely spine tingling. All that combined with Charlotte Broom’s hyper kinetic choreography that this young energetic cast perform with spanking precision – led by Mia Carragher as Katniss Everdeen, the warrior who will not lie down or be defeated – make for a production that is a fantastical experience. To ensure we feel part of the action each section of the audience is split into Districts so when a tribute is mentioned the seats in your District light up. One of those “wow wee” moments for young and old alike. Cynicism conquered.
Not so good for a purpose built arena are the queues for the loos and bars. You expect that in the older West End theatres but not here. Apparently there are 79 loos. But that disappointment is trumped by the casting of John Malkovich as the nefarious President Snow. Talk about phoning it in, he is wooden, disinterested and boring with the opening dialogue being unpunctuated. His intermittent appearances are odd and painful.
All in all though the cast are terrific, the production is spectacular and my son is going to “strongly recommend” it to all his mates. The producers will be thrilled. I’m still trying to find my way out of dystopia in a safe and secure way.
The Hunger Games on Stage – www.thehungergamesonstage.com
