'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' Debuts on London's West End

The prequel to the popular Netflix series explores the high school past of Henry Creel and features stunning stagecraft.

The official Stranger Things stage play, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow', has debuted at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End. The play is a prequel to the series, winding back to 1959 and exploring the high school past of Henry Creel, who becomes the murderous Vecna we meet in season four.
The play was directed by Stephen Daldry with Justin Martin, and written by Stranger Things writer and co-executive producer Kate Trefry. The narrative is based on a story by Trefry, the Duffer Brothers, and The Cursed Child's Jack Thorne.
The play boasts a formidable young cast, including Isabella Pappas as young Joyce, Oscar Lloyd as young Jim Hopper, and Christopher Buckley as young Bob Newby. Louis McCartney plays Henry Creel and Ella Karuna Williams portrays new character Patty Newby.
The play is visually stunning and is claimed to be the most technically advanced show in the West End. The stagecraft includes holograms, projections, and a revolving stage, and is said to be more frightening than the Netflix series.
The play runs from November 17, 2023, to August 25, 2024, at the Phoenix Theatre in London.