Interview with THE HUNGER GAMES: ON STAGE's Jason Battersby

Set in a dystopian future where each year children from the twelve districts of Panem are reaped to fight in a brutal death match, The Hunger Games: On Stage follows Katniss Everdeen as she struggles for survival in the arena while inadvertently becoming the face of a revolution.

Jason Battersby joins the new cast as Cato, the male tribute from District 2, a fierce warrior and a Career who's trained his whole life to participate in the Hunger Games, and one of Katniss's biggest adversaries in the arena. Below, Jason answers our questions about the complexities of Cato's character and what drives him.

What was it like stepping into a character that audiences will have been familiar with from the books and films? Did you deliberately try to distinguish your interpretation from the versions audiences already know?

Being able to leave my own mark on such a well-known character is a huge privilege for me. Cato is a character that I, too, was very familiar with, as both a big fan of the franchise. Playing him on stage is something my younger self could never have imagined, and I hope my passion for the story comes through in my portrayal of this character.

Whilst still being heavily informed by the book and film, my version of Cato may feel slightly different to what audiences will have seen before across the different mediums. Many people know that he is brutish and struggles to control his temper, but I believe his anger stems from deep seated insecurities. I enjoy exploring the process of how the Games slowly strip him of the identity that he so desperately clings onto. He believes that he is born to win, but at all points he is outmaneuvered by Katniss. Unable to confront his own ineptness, out of options, and perhaps in an attempt to salvage his pride, he reverts to his base emotions. Throwing temper tantrums when he does not get his way.

How much did you revisit Suzanne Collins' novel or the first film when preparing for the role?

I reread both the original novel and film when preparing for this role. I'm slowly making my way through the rest of the books in order to get a greater sense of the brilliant world which Suzanne Collins has crafted.

For people who know the books and films very well, what do you think the stage production offers that they might not expect?

A new medium always brings a fresh perspective to a piece. One of the key elements of this production is it's focus on the reality of what a game like this actually entails. I suspect that after watching this show, audiences will not only be impressed by the sheer size and spectacle of this production, but may also leave with a greater understanding of the core themes,  due to the visceral nature of the stage. When you are sat so close to the action, it brings a new level of realness to the material.

The Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre was purpose-built for the production, with the audience surrounding the arena. How does performing in that space affect the way you approach a scene?

Performing in the arena style feels very naturalistic for me, as there is no need to perform in any specific direction. This allows for much greater freedom to move about the space in a way in which you would in everyday life.

The show combines fight choreography, flying, illusions, video, and other large-scale theatrical effects. What has been the most exciting—and challenging—part of learning the physical world of the production?

I've never worked on a production of this scale before, so it's all brand new and exciting to me. It is also easily the most physically demanding production I have ever worked on. The main challenge for me is in the fight choreography and movement, as it is both fast-paced and intricate. One wrong move can lead to someone being hit in the face, so trust is key. That is why I am so grateful to work alongside such a talented and dedicated company. The support and care that each cast member shows to one another is the key to accomplishing effective fight sequences.

Cato is one of the most physically intimidating of the tributes, and the most antagonistic to Katniss’s story during the Games. How did you approach finding the real person beneath that exterior? Did you ever empathise with his character?

I think when contextualising Cato, it is important to remember that, even though he is antagonistic, he is ultimately not the true villain of the story. Moreover, he is a product of his environment.

The system under which he exists has instilled in him certain morals and ideals as well as the promise of honor and glory. In this way, he adopts a warrior's mentality, and to him, his actions feel justified. He is also, importantly, like everyone else within the Games, still only a child and is easily influenced by the propaganda of the corrupted Capitol. He treats the Games as a birthright, never really seeing that he is just a pawn in a greater game… He is still a very nasty piece of work, though.

How did you approach Cato’s relationship with his fellow Career tributes, especially Clove? Did you feel there was genuine loyalty there, or was it all about survival?

There is an expectation of a Career alliance every year, and proving effective within this group is a good way to become a favourite to win the Games by securing sponsors. Not only that, but it is an efficient way to clear out the rest of the field.

In this way, I think that whilst there is somewhat a mutual understanding between the Careers, there is a strong feeling of competition as they advance towards the inevitable. For Cato, he is eager to prove himself a leader and sees other careers as a stepping stone for his purposes, very much below him.

The one exception to this is Clove, who Cato grew up with. They grew up in the same district and have probably lived essentially the same lives. This is especially true after the announcement that two tributes can live.

Just for fun - if you could play any other character in The Hunger Games: On Stage, who would you want to play?

I think playing Peeta would be a fun challenge as he is essentially the antithesis to Cato. He is secure in his own identity, opposes the Capitol, and shows complete and utter selflessness through his love for Katniss.

Check out our past interviews with Jhanaica van Mook, who plays Glimmer, and Aiya Agustin, who plays Rue.

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