Irish playwright Conor McPherson is bringing the hugely popular franchise "The Hunger Games" to London's West End, with the blessing of series author Suzanne Collins.
McPherson, a five-time Tony nominee who has previously written plays such as "The Weir" and "Girl From the North Country," will adapt Suzanne Collins' best-selling book series as a live theatrical production.
The production is set to premiere in London in the fall of 2024 and will be based on the first book of "The Hunger Games" trilogy, which debuted in 2008 and was released as a feature film starring Jennifer Lawrence in 2012.
According to Deadline, McPherson is adapting both the first book and its film version into the play.
The stage version of "The Hunger Games" is set to follow Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers as tribute to take her sister's place in the annual Hunger Games, which sees young people from every district in the fictional nation of Panem selected for a fight to the death.
“I’m very excited to be collaborating with the amazing team of Conor McPherson and Matthew Dunster as they bring their dynamic and innovative interpretation of 'The Hunger Games' to the London stage," Collins said in a statement on October 24 announcing the project.
Dublin native McPherson said: “To receive Suzanne Collins’ blessing to adapt 'The Hunger Games' for the stage is both humbling and inspiring. She has created a classic story which continues to resonate now more than ever."
The Irish playwright added: "In a world where the truth itself seems increasingly up for grabs, 'The Hunger Games' beautifully expresses values of resilience, self-reliance and independent moral inquiry for younger people especially. This is turbo charged storytelling of the highest order and I’m hugely excited to bring it to a new generation of theatre goers and to Suzanne Collins’ longstanding and devoted fans.”
Matthew Dunster, the Olivier Award nominee who will direct the upcoming production, said: “This might be the most exciting work call I’ve ever had."
He added: "And then to add one of our greatest living playwrights, Conor McPherson, and experience him honouring the voice of Katniss Everdeen so rigorously has been a great privilege."
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