Stranger Things: The First Shadow Explained

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]

Background

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]

Production history

West End (2023)

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]

Broadway (2025)

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]

Cast and characters

Character!West End[12]
2023
James Hopper Jr.Oscar Lloyd
Joyce MaldonadoIsabella Pappas
Bob NewbyChris Buckley
Henry CreelLouis McCartney
Dr. BrennerPatrick Vaill
Alan MunsonMax Harwood
Patty NewbyElla Karuna Williams
Victor CreelMichael Jibson
Virginia CreelLauren Ward
Alice CreelImogen Turner
Faith Delaney
Anika Boyle
Chief HopperShane Attwooll
Lonnie ByersChase Brown
Charles SinclairAmmar Duffus
Ted WheelerGilles Geary
Karen ChildressFlorence Guy
Principal NewbyMatthew Pidgeon
Walter HendersonCalum Ross
Claudia YountMaisie Norma Seaton
Sue AndersonKemi Awoderu

Awards and nominations

YearAward CeremonyCategoryNomineeResult
2024WhatsOnStage Awards[13] Best New Play
Best Professional Debut PerformanceLouis McCartney
Best Casting DirectionJessica Ronane
Best Lighting DesignJon Clark
Best Set DesignMiriam Buether
Best Sound DesignPaul Arditti
Best Video Design59 Productions
Best Graphic DesignThe Creative Partnership
Laurence Olivier Awards[14] Best Entertainment or Comedy Play
Best DirectorStephen Daldry (Director), Justin Martin (Co-Director)
Best Lighting DesignJon Clark
Best Set DesignMiriam Buether (Set Design), 59 Productions (Video Design)
Best Sound DesignPaul Arditti

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Cast Tease West End Play: 'It's Like Being in a F—ing Action Film'. Variety. December 15, 2023. November 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231125225749/https://variety.com/2023/theater/news/stranger-things-play-the-first-shadow-cast-west-end-1235789075/. live.
  2. News: Netflix announces 'Stranger Things' spin-off as creators form new production company. CNBC. July 7, 2022. BBC News. July 7, 2022. July 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220706205013/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/06/netflix-stranger-things-spinoff-duffer-brothers-upside-down-pictures.html. live.
  3. News: Stranger Things spin-offs to include play made by British theatre duo . bbc.co.uk . July 7, 2022 . BBC News . July 7, 2022 . July 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708111335/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-62076078 . live.
  4. News: March 21, 2023 . Stranger Things prequel play combines darkness and fun, creators say . en-GB . BBC News . July 7, 2023 . July 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230707173355/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65013620 . live.
  5. Web site: Sonia Friedman Productions . July 7, 2023 . soniafriedman.com . en-GB . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401042049/https://www.soniafriedman.com/news-press/world-premiere-of-stranger-things-the-first-shadow . live.
  6. Stranger Things to get stage play about 1959 Hawkins featuring young Hopper, Joyce, and Vecna . Huff . Lauren . . March 1, 2023 . March 1, 2023 . March 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301194615/https://ew.com/theater/stranger-things-stage-play-1959-hawkins-young-hopper-joyce/ . live.
  7. News: Ambassador Theatre Group announces 'Stranger Things' performance dates . ATG Tickets . March 21, 2023 . ATG . March 21, 2023 . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321163551/https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/stranger-things-the-first-shadow/phoenix-theatre/ . live.
  8. Web site: Stranger Things: The First Shadow Official Box Office Phoenix Theatre . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230921115550/https://www.thephoenixtheatre.co.uk/shows/stranger-things-the-first-shadow . September 21, 2023 . September 4, 2023 . Phoenix Theatre, London . en-US.
  9. Web site: Rice . Lynette . September 20, 2023 . 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Reveals Full Cast For World Premiere In London's West End . September 20, 2023 . Deadline . en-US . September 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230920104735/https://deadline.com/2023/09/stranger-things-the-first-shadow-full-cast-stage-play-london-west-end-1235550993/ . live .
  10. Web site: Porter . Rick . September 20, 2023 . 'Stranger Things' Stage Play Sets Cast, Opening Date . September 20, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US . September 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230920104019/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/stranger-things-stage-play-cast-opening-date-london-1235594529/ . live.
  11. Web site: Huston . Caitlin . Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ to Open on Broadway in Spring 2025 . The Hollywood Reporter . 6 August 2024.
  12. Web site: Cast & Creative - Stranger Things: The First Shadow Official Site . November 17, 2023 . uk.strangerthingsonstage.com/ . en-US . August 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230418/https://uk.strangerthingsonstage.com/creative-team/ . live.
  13. Web site: December 7, 2023 . Nominations in full: 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209132955/https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/nominations-in-full-24th-annual-whatsonstage-awards_1554633/ . December 9, 2023 . December 10, 2023 . en-US.
  14. News: 2024-03-12 . Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations . 2024-03-12 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.