A guide to 'The Hunger Games' characters on stage

Get to know Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, and more as Suzanne Collins's novel becomes a spectacular theatre production.

Summary

• Suzanne Collins's popular book series is going to the stage in a brand-new production
• The show follows popular characters from the first book like Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark
• The Hunger Games production also features tributes from the different districts fighting in the arena

Enter London’s Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre and you’ll be stepping into the futuristic world of Panem, as created by Suzanne Collins in her smash-hit book series The Hunger Games and the subsequent film series. The new, state-of-the-art venue is home to the all-powerful Capitol and the surrounding impoverished districts, which once rebelled against this wealthy centre and are now punished via the annual Games.

This bloodthirsty spectacle sees each district send two young “tributes” to compete in a fight to the death in a specially designed arena – all captured on camera for the entertainment of the Capitol dwellers. But when Katniss Everdeen becomes a tribute for District 12, she turns into a stirring symbol of resistance.

Ahead of your trip to the exciting new theatrical version of The Hunger Games, get to know the major characters in the first book of the series, and their stage counterparts. And remember: may the odds be ever in your favour.

Check back for The Hunger Games tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

This article contains mild spoilers for The Hunger Games.

Katniss Everdeen

The story’s teenage heroine, Katniss has learnt to be resilient following her father’s death in a mine explosion (their home, District 12, is the coal mining district) and her mother’s emotional withdrawal. She is very protective of her younger sister Primrose (or “Prim”), so when the latter is chosen for the Games, Katniss instead volunteers as tribute.

Handily, she has a few skills that turn out to be useful in the Games. She has spent years hunting and foraging, in order to support her family, and she is particularly impressive with a bow and arrow. Her strength and survival instincts serve her well, however she doesn’t always trust people, and the entertainment aspect of the Games is completely new to her.

Katniss is played by rising star Mia Carragher in the stage show. Her work includes TV drama The Gathering, and the upcoming films Mistletoe and Wine, and Let’s Love. In the film, Katniss is played by Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence.

Peeta Mellark

Peeta is the other teenager selected as a tribute from District 12. He and Katniss previously crossed paths when she was starving, and Peeta, whose family ran a bakery, gave her two loaves of bread. He is physically strong from his work, and is also a skilled painter – which might not seem useful in a combat situation, but it gives him a gift for camouflage.

In contrast to the more reserved Katniss, Peeta is a natural charmer who understands that they need to win over potential sponsors so they pay to send you supplies in the Games arena. One key question in the first book, and the stage show, is whether Peeta actually has a crush on Katniss, or is just claiming that he does to get sponsor interest in their story.

Peeta is played in the theatre show by Euan Garrett, who previously played the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical, and has also appeared in New Adventures’ Romeo and Juliet. In the film series, he is played by Josh Hutcherson.

Haymitch Abernathy

Each set of tributes gets a mentor: someone from their district who previously triumphed in the Games. District 12’s Haymitch Abernathy won the 50th Hunger Games, but is initially a terrible mentor to Katniss and Peeta. He’s cynical, rude, grouchy, almost permanently drunk, and seems resigned to his tributes dying in the arena.

However, he begins to see potential in the pair and slowly develops a relationship with them – particularly with Katniss. This prickly dynamic is a key aspect to Collins’s engrossing novel, and it will be fascinating to see how it’s developed in the theatrical version.

Haymitch is played on stage by Joshua Lacey, whose works includes Wicked and Chicago in the West End, London Tide at the National Theatre, and Slow Horses on TV. Woody Harrelson plays Haymitch in the film series.

Effie Trinket and Cinna

The District 12 team is completed by two more memorable people. Effie Trinket is Katniss and Peeta’s outlandishly dressed escort. In contrast to her charges, she is eerily blithe and chipper, as a result of her blinkered upbringing in the Capitol. However, she becomes another key ally as this ragtag group gradually comes together.

Katniss also develops a close bond with her stylist, Cinna. Although she’s not remotely interested in fashion, she comes to see how his clever, eye-catching designs give her an edge as a contestant – and eventually as a rebel leader too.

Tamsin Carroll (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Oliver!, Miss Saigon) plays Effie on stage, and Nathan Ives-Moiba (Cabaret, As You Like It) is Cinna. Elizabeth Banks and Lenny Kravitz play Effie Trinket and Cinna respectively in the films.

Caesar Flickerman

The event’s flamboyant master of ceremonies, Caesar Flickerman (played by Stanley Tucci in the films) is the long-standing and well-known face of the Games. He interviews all of the tributes before they enter the arena, and he also commentates on the subsequent action as it plays out for riveted viewers.

Caesar is literally a colourful character: he constantly changes the hue of his hair, lips and even eyelids. He’s also a witty and experienced showman, juxtaposing the horror of the Games with pizzazz. This iconic book creation will be even more engaging on stage.

Caesar is played by Stavros Demetraki, whose work includes Edward II, A Face in the Crowd, Oklahoma!, and, on TV, Miss Scarlett & The Duke.

Gale Hawthorne, Prim and Mrs Everdeen

Back home in District 12, rooting for Katniss to succeed, are her mother, sister and best friend. Mrs Everdeen had a breakdown after losing her husband, but has gradually been coming back to life – she is a healer, and has taught Katniss a few tricks.

Prim has inherited her mother’s gift for healing. She is a sweet-natured, petite young girl, and Katniss feared she would never survive the Games. Gale has grown up with them, and is Katniss’s regular hunting partner and trusted ally. He also supports his family, and he helps look after Katniss’s family in her absence.

In the stage show, Sophia Ally (The Hills of California) plays Prim, Ruth Everett (Medea) plays Mrs Everdeen, and Tristan Waterson (Dear England) plays Gale — a role played by Liam Hemsworth in the films.

The other tributes

We wouldn’t have a Hunger Games without a fierce group competing with Katniss and Peeta for survival. They include arrogant, well-trained tributes from the wealthier districts, like Cato, Glimmer, Marvel and Clove, as well as a wily tribute known as Foxface.

There are also two tributes from District 11 who become friendly with Katniss: the physically imposing but kindly Thresh, and the tiny 12-year-old Rue, who reminds Katniss of her sister Prim.

On stage, the tribute cast includes Aiya Agustin as Rue, Liana Cottrill as Clove, Lewis Easter as Marvel, Marcellus Hill as Thresh, Felipe Pacheco as Cato, and Mariana Lewis as Glimmer.

Photo credit: The Hunger Games in rehearsal (Photos by Danny Kaan)