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Dream Casting: The Hunger Games stage show

We imagine our ideal cast for this highly anticipated “theatrical experience”

Following the recent announcement that popular movie franchise The Hunger Games, based on the novels by Suzanne Collins, is to be adapted for the stage, we take a look at who we'd like to see take on the main parts.


Katniss Everdeen – Lydia Wilson

Currently playing Kate Middleton in King Charles III at Wyndham's Theatre, Lydia Wilson has had a promising start to her career since leaving RADA in 2009, including roles at the National Theatre and Hampstead Theatre.

Peeta Mellark – Tom Rhys Harries

Most recently seen in Mojo at the Harold Pinter and Hotel at the National, this baby-faced assassin is perfect for Peeta.

Gale Hawthorne – Richard Fleeshman

We have to admit that whenever we need a hunky male in a dream casting our immediate go-to is Mr Fleeshman. We did consider Aaron Tveit and Oliver Tompsett but the Urinetown and Ghost star would just have to be our Gale.

Effie Trinket – Imelda Staunton

One of the best actors of her generation, Imelda is probably going to feature in any of our Dream Castings for the foreseeable future. Plus, her performance as Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter shows she has just the right amount of quirkiness for Effie.

President Snow – Ian McKellan

Who else?…

Caesar Flickerman – David Bedella

Flamboyant and fabulous, Bedella gets our vote for host of The Hunger Games Flickerman.

Cinna – Colman Domingo

Colman's performance in The Scottsboro Boys is electric, so much so we almost thought of him for Caesar, but Bedella just pipped him. We've still got to have him in the cast and couldn't think of anyone else who'd fill Lenny Kravitz boots as well as Mr Domingo.

Rue – Karis Jack

We're sure Karis is keen to play a character her own age when she finishes playing Little Sally in Urinetown, but she plays a ten year old so well that we just couldn't resist casting her as Rue in our dream cast.

Haymitch Abernathy – Tim Minchin

Bonkers with a constant air of inebriation, yep Minchin's our man for former Hunger Games winner Haymitch Abernathy.