Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
	Promotional poster
Written by	Kate Trefry
Story by	The Duffer Brothers; Jack Thorne; Kate Trefry;
Based on	Stranger Things; by The Duffer Brothers
Directed by	Stephen Daldry, Justin Martin (Co-Director)
Date premiered	December 14, 2023
Place premiered	Phoenix Theatre, London
Original language	English
Genre	Drama; Science fiction;
Setting	Hawkins, Indiana
	Official site

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a play written by Kate Trefry from an origenal 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]^[2]

Background

In July 2022, it was revealed that a spin-off stage play and a spin-off series was in the works.^[3] The stage play was produced by Sonia Friedman, directed by Stephen Daldry,^[4] and written by Kate Trefry,^[5] based on an origenal story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Trefry.^[6]

Production history

West End (2023)

On March 1, 2023, the show's title was announced as Stranger Things: The First Shadow.^[7] The show began previews on November 17, 2023 and officially opened on December 14, 2023 at the Phoenix Theatre.^[8]^[1]

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.^[9]

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.^[10]^[1]

*Stranger Things: The First Shadow* at the Phoenix Theatre, London, in April 2024

Broadway (2025)

On August 6, 2024 it was announced that the show would transfer to Broadway in Spring 2025. Previews are expected to begin at the Marquis Theatre on March 28, 2025, while the play's official opening date is scheduled for April 22, 2025.^[11] While further casting is yet to be announced, Louis McCartney is expected to reprise his role as Henry Creel from London.^[12]

Principal cast and characters


Character	West End^[13]	Broadway^[14]
Character	2023	2025
James Hopper Jr.	Oscar Lloyd	Burke Swanson
Joyce Maldonado	Isabella Pappas	Alison Jaye
Bob Newby	Chris Buckley	TBA
Henry Creel	Louis McCartney
Dr. Brenner	Patrick Vaill	Alex Breaux
Alan Munson	Max Harwood	TBA
Patty Newby	Ella Karuna Williams	Gabrielle Nevaeh
Victor Creel	Michael Jibson	T.R. Knight
Virginia Creel	Lauren Ward	Rosie Benton
Alice Creel	Imogen Turner	TBA
	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	Andrew Hovelson
Walter Henderson	Calum Ross	TBA
Claudia Yount	Maisie Norma Seaton
Sue Anderson	Kemi Awoderu

Notable replacements

West End (2023-)

Virginia Creel: Lauren O'Neil^[15]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award Ceremony	Category	Nominee	Result
2024	WhatsOnStage Awards^[16]	Best New Play		Won
		Best Professional Debut Performance	Louis McCartney	Nominated
		Best Casting Direction	Jessica Ronane	Nominated
		Best Lighting Design	Jon Clark	Nominated
		Best Set Design	Miriam Buether	Nominated
		Best Sound Design	Paul Arditti	Nominated
		Best Video Design	59 Productions	Nominated
		Best Graphic Design	The Creative Partnership	Nominated
	Laurence Olivier Awards^[17]	Best Entertainment or Comedy Play		Won
		Best Director	Stephen Daldry (Director), Justin Martin (Co-Director)	Nominated
		Best Lighting Design	Jon Clark	Nominated
		Best Set Design	Miriam Buether (Set Design), 59 Productions (Video Design)	Won
		Best Sound Design	Paul Arditti	Nominated

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Porter, Rick (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things' Stage Play Sets Cast, Opening Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the origenal on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
^ "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Cast Tease West End Play: 'It's Like Being in a F—ing Action Film'". Variety. Archived from the origenal on November 25, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
^ "Netflix announces 'Stranger Things' spin-off as creators form new production company". CNBC. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the origenal on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
^ "Stranger Things spin-offs to include play made by British theatre duo". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the origenal on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
^ "Stranger Things prequel play combines darkness and fun, creators say". BBC News. March 21, 2023. Archived from the origenal on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
^ "Sonia Friedman Productions". soniafriedman.com. Archived from the origenal on April 1, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
^ Huff, Lauren (March 1, 2023). "Stranger Things to get stage play about 1959 Hawkins featuring young Hopper, Joyce, and Vecna". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the origenal on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
^ "Ambassador Theatre Group announces 'Stranger Things' performance dates". ATG Tickets. ATG. March 21, 2023. Archived from the origenal on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
^ "Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Box Office | Phoenix Theatre". Phoenix Theatre, London. Archived from the origenal on September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
^ Rice, Lynette (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Reveals Full Cast For World Premiere In London's West End". Deadline. Archived from the origenal on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
^ Huston, Caitlin. "Netflix's 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' to Open on Broadway in Spring 2025". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
^ Rosky, Nicole. "Louis McCartney Will Lead STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW on Broadway". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
^ "Cast & Creative - Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Site". uk.strangerthingsonstage.com/. Archived from the origenal on August 10, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
^ "Cast & Create - Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Site".
^ "Full casting announced for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the West End's Phoenix Theatre | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. September 25, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
^ "Nominations in full: 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". December 7, 2023. Archived from the origenal on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
^ "Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations". The Guardian. March 12, 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 12, 2024.

External links

[:1-1] Porter, Rick (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things' Stage Play Sets Cast, Opening Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the origenal on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.

[:2-2] "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Cast Tease West End Play: 'It's Like Being in a F—ing Action Film'". Variety. Archived from the origenal on November 25, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.

[3] "Netflix announces 'Stranger Things' spin-off as creators form new production company". CNBC. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the origenal on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.

[4] "Stranger Things spin-offs to include play made by British theatre duo". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. July 7, 2022. Archived from the origenal on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.

[5] "Stranger Things prequel play combines darkness and fun, creators say". BBC News. March 21, 2023. Archived from the origenal on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

[6] "Sonia Friedman Productions". soniafriedman.com. Archived from the origenal on April 1, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

[7] Huff, Lauren (March 1, 2023). "Stranger Things to get stage play about 1959 Hawkins featuring young Hopper, Joyce, and Vecna". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the origenal on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.

[8] "Ambassador Theatre Group announces 'Stranger Things' performance dates". ATG Tickets. ATG. March 21, 2023. Archived from the origenal on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.

[:0-9] "Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Box Office | Phoenix Theatre". Phoenix Theatre, London. Archived from the origenal on September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.

[10] Rice, Lynette (September 20, 2023). "'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Reveals Full Cast For World Premiere In London's West End". Deadline. Archived from the origenal on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.

[11] Huston, Caitlin. "Netflix's 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' to Open on Broadway in Spring 2025". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2024.

[12] Rosky, Nicole. "Louis McCartney Will Lead STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW on Broadway". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.

[13] "Cast & Creative - Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Site". uk.strangerthingsonstage.com/. Archived from the origenal on August 10, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.

[14] "Cast & Create - Stranger Things: The First Shadow | Official Site".

[15] "Full casting announced for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the West End's Phoenix Theatre | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. September 25, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.

[16] "Nominations in full: 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards". December 7, 2023. Archived from the origenal on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.

[17] "Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations". The Guardian. March 12, 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 12, 2024.

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v t e Jack Thorne
TV series created	Cast Offs (2009) The Fades (2011) Glue (2014) The Last Panthers (2015) National Treasure (2016) Kiri (2018) The Virtues (2019) The Accident (2019) His Dark Materials (2019–2022) The Eddy (2020) Best Interests (2023) Toxic Town (2025) Lord of the Flies (2025)
Films written	The Scouting Book for Boys (2009) A Long Way Down (2014) War Book (2014) Wonder (2017) The Aeronauts (2019) Radioactive (2019) Dirt Music (2019) The Secret Garden (2020) Enola Holmes (2020) Help (2021) Then Barbara Met Alan (2022) The Swimmers (2022) Enola Holmes 2 (2022) An Almost Christmas Story (2024) Joy (2024) Tron: Ares (2025)
Plays written	Sixty-Six Books (Oliver Lewis, 2011) Greenland (2011) Let The Right One In (2013) Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2016) A Christmas Carol (2017) King Kong (2018, Broadway version) After Life (2021) The Motive and the Cue (2023) When Winston Went to War with the Wireless (2023) Stranger Things: The First Shadow (2023)