Studying iconic dystopian texts, recognising the tropes of the genre and researching the contexts in which these works are written occupies a central place in A Level English Literature study.

And how better to fire up a discussion than take the opportunity to look afresh at one of the most popular young adult dystopian texts of recent times: ‘The Hunger Games’? So, when we heard that a stage version of the novel would be performed in a purpose-built theatre in London, our classes were keen to sign up!

We travelled to Canary Wharf, excited to see the show and perhaps even more excited to experience how and when our seating block in ‘District 2’ would begin to move – a detail that we learned only the day before.

The show was visually spectacular, with no expense spared on the lighting, the pyrotechnics, the giant screens and the special effects. Who could fail to marvel at the flaming chariot that flew through the air (requiring extinguishers on touchdown!) or the fight scenes that scaled walls and climbed moving ramps?

Perhaps we were a little nonplussed by some of the strange dance routines and found some of the actors a little shrill, but as an entertaining night out that sparked discussion of Orwell, Huxley and all things dystopian, it was a very enjoyable trip with a brilliant team of Sixth Formers.

May the odds be ever in their favour!

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