Lily Allen embodied her 'West End Girl' persona this week, making a stunning appearance at the premiere of The Hunger Games: On Stage in London. The singer showed her support for director Matthew Dunster, with whom she shares a significant professional history.
A Theatrical Arrival
The 40-year-old artist commanded attention at the Troubadour Theatre in London's Canary Wharf on Wednesday. She chose a daring sheer black dress, paired with classic Louboutin heels, for the pivotal evening. The event held special significance, coming just weeks after the release of her deeply personal album, 'West End Girl', which chronicles the demise of her marriage to Stranger Things actor David Harbour.
The Album: A Semi-Autobiographical Tale
In her new work, Allen details how she felt Harbour's 'demeanor start to change' in 2021 when she secured a leading role in the West End play 2:22 - A Ghost Story. That play was also directed by Matthew Dunster. The album's opening track includes her recollection of a phone call with the 50-year-old actor while she was in London for the play, hinting this was the moment he expressed a desire for an open marriage.
One lyric reveals: 'Later that evening you said how was my day/ I said "I got some good news, I got the lead in a play"/ That's when your demeanor started to change/ You said that I'd have to audition, I said "you're deranged".'
The songstress has accused Harbour of having multiple affairs, including a three-year affair with a younger costume designer. Allen has stated, 'There are definitely some things that happened in my real life that are reflected on this record.' The marriage officially ended when she discovered his long-term affair and a profile on the celebrity dating app Raya.
Spotlight on The Hunger Games: On Stage
The premiere also shone a light on the new theatrical production itself. The live show has been adapted by Conor McPherson from Suzanne Collins's bestselling novel and Lionsgate's blockbuster film. Making her debut in the iconic role of Katniss Everdeen—a part made famous by Jennifer Lawrence—is Mia Carragher, daughter of footballer Jamie Carragher.
Mia, a graduate of Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, said: 'I am so excited and honoured to be playing Katniss. This is a dream-come-true role, and I cannot wait to see the production come to life.' She added, 'From being a huge fan of the films, I feel so lucky to be a part of the Hunger Games world, especially working with Mathew Dunster and an incredible creative team.'
The production had a somewhat chaotic preview night last month, with some fans complaining of lengthy delays. Despite a reported hour-long late start and an 11:45pm finish, many attendees still praised the show's fresh take on the dystopian tale of Panem.
