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Stranger Things: The First Shadow
2023 play by Kate Trefry From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a play written by Kate Trefry from an original story by Matt & Ross Duffer, Jack Thorne, and Trefry. The story serves as a prequel to the events of the television series Stranger Things. The production, directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, previewed on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14 at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End. The play began a run on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre, New York, on April 22, 2025.
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Background
In July 2022, it was revealed that a spin-off stage play and a spin-off series were in the works.[1] The stage play was produced by Sonia Friedman, directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin,[2] and written by Kate Trefry,[3] based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Trefry.[4]
Production history
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West End (2023)
On March 1, 2023, the show's title was announced as Stranger Things: The First Shadow.[5] The show began previews on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14, 2023, at the Phoenix Theatre.[6][7][8]
The production is co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin. Set design is by Miriam Buether; costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel; lighting design by Jon Clark; sound design by Paul Arditti; illusion design and visual effects by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher; video design and 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; and international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan. Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates is technical director.[9]
On September 20, 2023, the full cast was announced. The company features 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][7]
On April 15, 2025, a documentary called Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, about the making of the play and its debut in the West End, was released on Netflix.[11]
In June 2025, director Justin Martin said that the audiences were very noisy compared to traditional theatre audiences. Surveys revealed that around 60 per cent of them had never been to the theatre, so they "eat popcorn throughout and just respond in a really natural way".[12]
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 on March 28, 2025, while the play's official opening date was on April 22, 2025.[13][14] Louis McCartney was announced to be reprising the role of Henry Creel for the Broadway transfer in 2025.[15]
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Principal cast and characters
Notable replacements
West End (2023-)
- Virginia Creel: Lauren O'Neil[21]
Awards and nominations
2024 West End production
2025 Broadway production
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References
External links
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