| Stranger Things: The First Shadow | |
| Director: | Stephen Daldry |
| Place: | Phoenix Theatre, London |
| Setting: | Hawkins, Indiana |
| Web: | https://uk.strangerthingsonstage.com/ |
| Original Language: | English |
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a play written by Kate Trefry from an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Trefry. The story serves as a prequel to the events of the television series Stranger Things. It first previewed on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14 at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End to rave reviews.[1]
In July 2022, it was revealed that a spin-off stage play and a spin-off series was in the works.[2] The stage play was produced by Sonia Friedman, directed by Stephen Daldry,[3] and written by Kate Trefry,[4] based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Trefry.[5]
On March 1, 2023, the show's title was announced as Stranger Things: The First Shadow.[6] The show began previews on November 17, 2023 and officially opened on December 14, 2023 at the Phoenix Theatre.[7]
The production is directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, illusions design & visual effects by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, video design & visual effects by 59 Productions, movement direction by Coral Messam, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, casting by Jessica Ronane Casting CDG, international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan, Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates is technical director, with further creative team members to be announced.[8]
On September 20, 2023, the full cast was announced. The company will feature Oscar Lloyd as James Hopper Jr., Isabella Pappas as Joyce Maldonado, Chris Buckley as Bob Newby, Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, Patrick Vaill as Dr. Brenner, Ella Karuna Williams as Patty Newby, Michael Jibson as Victor Creel, and Lauren Ward as Virginia Creel.[9] [10]
On August 6, 2024 it was announced that the show would transfer to Broadway in Spring 2025. Previews will begin on March 28, 2025, while the play's official opening date is set for April 22, 2025. [11]
| 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| James Hopper Jr. | Oscar Lloyd | |
| Joyce Maldonado | Isabella Pappas | |
| Bob Newby | Chris Buckley | |
| Henry Creel | Louis McCartney | |
| Dr. Brenner | Patrick Vaill | |
| Alan Munson | Max Harwood | |
| Patty Newby | Ella Karuna Williams | |
| Victor Creel | Michael Jibson | |
| Virginia Creel | Lauren Ward | |
| Alice Creel | Imogen Turner | |
| Faith Delaney | ||
| Anika Boyle | ||
| Chief Hopper | Shane Attwooll | |
| Lonnie Byers | Chase Brown | |
| Charles Sinclair | Ammar Duffus | |
| Ted Wheeler | Gilles Geary | |
| Karen Childress | Florence Guy | |
| Principal Newby | Matthew Pidgeon | |
| Walter Henderson | Calum Ross | |
| Claudia Yount | Maisie Norma Seaton | |
| Sue Anderson | Kemi Awoderu |
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards[13] | Best New Play | ||
| Best Professional Debut Performance | Louis McCartney | |||
| Best Casting Direction | Jessica Ronane | |||
| Best Lighting Design | Jon Clark | |||
| Best Set Design | Miriam Buether | |||
| Best Sound Design | Paul Arditti | |||
| Best Video Design | 59 Productions | |||
| Best Graphic Design | The Creative Partnership | |||
| Laurence Olivier Awards[14] | Best Entertainment or Comedy Play | |||
| Best Director | Stephen Daldry (Director), Justin Martin (Co-Director) | |||
| Best Lighting Design | Jon Clark | |||
| Best Set Design | Miriam Buether (Set Design), 59 Productions (Video Design) | |||
| Best Sound Design | Paul Arditti | |||