Stage Technology Quietly Move Sections of Bleachers, Each Holding 112 Spectators

Related Vendors

Stöber Antriebstechnik GmbH

FAULHABER Drive Systems

SIMTOS (Seoul International Machine Tool Show)

In the play “The Hunger Games: On Stage,” the audience seating area is part of the action: At the specially built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theater in London, the seating sections move along with the audience. This requires safe and quiet drive technology. Smart Axis solved the challenge with bevel gear drives.  

A 26-metric-ton dynamic load, 112 people, and imperceptible movements: those were the specifications for the moving grandstand sections in “The Hunger Games: On Stage.” The Leeds-based company Smart Axis Stage Engineering developed them. “We handle projects involving lifting, moving, rotating, and turning,” says co-founder and managing director Martin Radmall. He and his team provide stage technology for live events, television and film productions, trade shows, and festivals. In 2024, the company was commissioned to contribute to the theatrical adaptation of the novel “The Hunger Games.”

The Play Based on the Hunger Games Series

“The Hunger Games: On Stage” adapts Suzanne Collins’ bestseller and the accompanying film series into a live experience set in a circular arena. The story is set in the fictional world of Panem, a nation consisting of thirteen numbered districts, each specializing in a specific industry. The world premiere took place in November 2025 at the newly built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theater in London, which seats 1,200 spectators.

“The £26 million Troubadour Canary Wharf Theater is a state-of-the-art venue that was built in just six months specifically for a fully immersive production—with audience members seated in the various districts of Panem,” Radmall explains. “We work primarily in the international entertainment industry and are used to seeing ambitious set designs take shape around us. But having an entirely new building go up around us while we were working was a first even for us!”

Adapted by playwright Conor McPherson and directed by Matthew Dunster, the production features flying sequences, fire effects, LED walls, and an arena layout that places the audience right in the middle of the action. The seating sections are named after the individual districts. Radmall explains: “This places the audience right in the heart of the arena where the Hunger Games take place.” That’s where Smart Axis and Stöber came into play: The production team wanted to arrange the districts as movable grandstand segments surrounding a large stage where the actors perform both on the ground and in the air.

Moving a 26-Metric-Ton Dynamic Load Quietly

“A key focus of the project was to develop and manufacture drive systems for the grandstand sections that could silently move a considerable dynamic load of 26 metric tons while comfortably seating 112 people,” Radmall explains. Each block must be able to move on command—without the people sitting on it noticing the movement. “That’s no easy task. And since the districts are a central element of the show, every technical detail had to function smoothly, seamlessly, and, of course, safely.”

“Once it was clear that we had won the contract as a supplier for ‘The Hunger Games: On Stage,’ I reached out to Martin Preece, head of Stöber’s UK office,” Radmall reports. “I had already successfully completed previous projects with him in the entertainment industry and knew that he and Stöber could meet our very specific requirements. I was right.”

Space Constraints: Design of Bevel Gearboxes

“One of the first hurdles was that the design of the theater building itself changed even during our design and construction phase,” Radmall explains. “As a result, we had significantly less space available compared to the original concept. So we had to adapt our design and remain flexible in order to deliver the same performance and speed—and thus the same experience for the customer—in a more confined space.”

“I contacted Martin several times to discuss the appropriate design of the Stöber gearboxes—specifically, how best to achieve smooth, quiet, and trouble-free operation that would also fit into a significantly smaller installation space than originally planned,” recalls Radmall.

Martin Preece adds: “Our task was to assist Smart Axis in the design and selection of bevel gearboxes that would fit into the confined spaces beneath the grandstands. They were used primarily in Districts 1 and 2, and their operation had to be silent so as not to disrupt the suspense and the illusion of the production. That required robust, high-performance components.”

“Throughout the design process, I consistently used the Stöber Configurator to generate product data sheets and drawing files. This allowed me to respond immediately to each of the numerous design changes with updated, precise design data—without any delays in the design process,” explains Preece. In the gearboxes used, the helical gearing ensures smooth operation, while the one-piece cast housing provides high rigidity and compact dimensions.

Bevel Gearboxes in the Grandstand Sections

At the heart of the solution are the unique, movable grandstand sections, which rotate quietly and give spectators the feeling that they are part of the spectacle. Bevel gear units of various sizes thus contribute to the arena’s extraordinary atmosphere and visual effects:

• Eight size 9 bevel gearboxes are installed in the four drive systems of the grandstand blocks. They move the dynamic load of 26,000 kg (57,320 lb)  and position the audience during the performance. The 8 m × 3.6 m  (26.2 ft × 11.8 ft) main lift was designed for maximum reliability and safety.
• Eight additional bevel gearboxes in sizes 1 through 4 are part of an 8 m × 3.7 m (26.2 ft × 12.1 ft) lowering and sliding mechanism designed for speed and seamless integration. In addition, there are four corner lifts—one at each corner of the “Main Contender Zone”—as well as additional lowering and sliding units compliant with EN 17206.

Preece explains, “The one-piece cast housings offer exceptional torsional rigidity and durability—ideal for the loads being moved.” In addition, a wide selection of housing designs is available, allowing for flexible mounting options to suit various installation situations. At the same time, the quality of the helical gearing ensures quiet operation and high efficiency. 

Factors Contributing to the Success of the Stage Project

“The fact that Martin and Stöber were able to adapt to the various changes we faced was extremely valuable to the overall success of this project,” Radmall concludes. “Whether it was on-time delivery, compliance with safety standards, or the successful launch of the show itself—Stöber always had an answer and a solution ready. That’s exactly what we expect from our suppliers.” The gearbox manufacturer met—and in some cases even exceeded—the already tight delivery deadlines, according to Radmall: “This meant we were always on schedule with our work—and that was a great showcase for the entire Smart-Axis team.”

Belt Drive and Central Transmission

World Cup Victory on a Bike with a Gear System