''Stranger Things: The First Shadow'' is a play written by Kate Trefry from an original story by

the Duffer Brothers Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer (born February 15, 1984), often credited as the Duffer Brothers, are American film and television writers, directors, and producers. They are best known as the creators, directors and executive producers of the hit Ne ...

Jack Thorne Jack Thorne FRSL (born 6 December 1978) is a British playwright, television writer, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for writing the stage play '' Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'', the films '' Wonder'' and '' Enola Holmes'', a ...

and Trefry. The story serves as a

prequel A prequel is a literary, dramatic or cinematic work whose story precedes that of a previous work, by focusing on events that occur before the original narrative. A prequel is a work that forms part of a backstory to the preceding work. The term ...

to the events of the television series ''

Stranger Things ''Stranger Things'' is an American science fiction horror drama television series created by the Duffer Brothers, who also serve as showrunners and are executive producers along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. Produced by Monkey Massacre Pr ...

''. It first

preview Preview may refer to: Theatre, film, television * Preview (subscription service), an early subscription television service in the United States * Preview (theatre), a public performance of a theatrical show before the official opening * Preview s ...

ed on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14 at the Phoenix Theatre in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

West End West End most commonly refers to: * West End of London, an area of central London, England * West End theatre, a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London, England West End may also refer to: Pl ...

Background

In July 2022, it was revealed that a spin-off stage play and a spin-off series was in the works. The stage play was produced by

Sonia Friedman Sonia Anne Primrose Friedman (born Freedman; born April 1965) is a British West End and Broadway theatre producer. On 27 January 2017, Friedman was named Producer of the Year for the third year running at The Stage Awards, becoming the first ...

, directed by

Stephen Daldry Stephen David Daldry CBE (born 2 May 1960) is an English director and producer of film, theatre, and television. He has won three Olivier Awards for his work in the West End and three Tony Awards for his work on Broadway. He has received thr ...

, and written by Kate Trefry, based on an original story by the

Duffer Brothers Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer (born February 15, 1984), often credited as the Duffer Brothers, are American film and television writers, directors, and producers. They are best known as the creators, directors and executive producers of the hit Ne ...

and Trefry.

Production history

West End (2023)

On March 1, 2023, the show's title was announced as ''Stranger Things: The First Shadow''. The show began previews on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14, 2023, at the Phoenix Theatre. The production is directed by

with co-director Justin Martin, set design by

Miriam Buether Miriam Buether is a German stage designer who primarily works in London theatre. She was born in Germany and studied stage design at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design in London and costume design at the Akademie für Kostüm Desi ...

, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by

Jon Clark Jonathan Clark is a British reality television personality and builder from Essex, who first rose to fame in 2015 by appearing on the first series of the ITV2 reality series '' Love Island'' where he came runner-up with fellow contestant Hannah El ...

, sound design by

Paul Arditti Paul Arditti is a British sound designer, working mainly in the UK and the US. He specialises in designing sound systems and sound scores for theatre. He has won awards for his work on both musicals and plays, including a Tony Award, an Olivier Aw ...

, illusions design & visual effects by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, video design & visual effects by

59 Productions 59 Productions is a Scottish design studio and production company that creates original story-telling experiences for audiences of all kinds. The offices of the company are located in London and New York City. Origins 59 Productions was fou ...

, 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. On September 20, 2023, the full cast was announced. The company will feature

Oscar Lloyd Oscar Lloyd (born 16 September 1997) is a British actor best known for his role as Will Wylde in ''Emmerdale''. Career Lloyd started his acting career by appearing in television commercials. He was cast as David in the 2008 BBC drama, '' Hanco ...

as James Hopper Jr.,

Isabella Pappas Isabella Noemi Pappas (born 21 August 2002) is an actress. She began her career on the London stage, earning Laurence Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award nominations. On television, she is known for her roles in the ITV series '' Finding Alice'' (2 ...

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 Michael Jibson (born 16 December 1980) is an English actor, director, writer and voice over artist. Jibson started his career in the theatre. He has been nominated for an Olivier Award twice, once when he was only 22 in 2003, for his work on ...

as Victor Creel, and

Lauren Ward Lauren Ward (born June 19, 1970) is an American singer and actress. She has appeared in Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End musicals and plays. Ward originated the role of Miss Honey in the original Stratford-Upon-Avon, West End, and Broadway pro ...

as Virginia Creel.

Broadway (2025)

On August 6, 2024, it was announced that the show would transfer to Broadway in Spring 2025. Previews began at the

Marquis Theatre The Marquis Theatre is a Broadway theater on the third floor of the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1986, it is operated by the Nederlander Organization. There are abou ...

on March 28, 2025, while the play's official opening date is scheduled for April 22, 2025.

Louis McCartney Louis McCartney is a stage, television and film actor from Northern Ireland. Early life From Belfast, he is the son of screenwriter Michael McCartney. His mother is a holistic therapist. He has an older brother who works as an ocean explorationi ...

was announced to be reprising the role of Henry Creel for the Broadway transfer in 2025.

Principal cast and characters

Notable replacements

West End (2023-)

* Virginia Creel:

Lauren O'Neil Lauren O'Neil Is a British stage, screen and radio actor. Early life O'Neil was born Lauren Frances Rogers in Liverpool, England, the eldest daughter of two dentists. She left Liverpool to attend the University of Glasgow, before returning to Li ...

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*
Stanger Things on Stage
on

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Stranger Things on Stage
on

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Stranger Things on Stage
on

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{{OlivierAward Entertainment or Comedy 2023 plays British plays Stranger Things (TV series) West End plays Collaborative plays Plays based on television series Plays set in Indiana Plays set in the 1950s Laurence Olivier Award–winning plays