London's Stranger Things Stage Prequel

London’s West End is now home to a Stranger Things stage prequel.

The play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, transports audiences to Hawkins in 1959 — long before the Upside Down upended reality.

Performances began on Dec. 14 at the Phoenix Theatre.

Due to demand, the run has been extended and will continue through April 6, 2025.

This backstory might shed light on what the series has in store next.

If you’re planning to step into the London ShadowPlay inspired by the Stranger Things universe, consider this your quick primer.

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What to book, what to wear, which moments are interactive, and how the experience deals with spoilers and safety.

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Everything you need to know to prepare for an immersive visit — with the big plot twists kept intact.

An original Stranger Things tale has been adapted for the stage by the show’s creators, with the Duffer Brothers collaborating alongside writer Kate Trefry and playwright Jack Thorne (whose credits include the screenplay for 2022’s Enola Holmes 2, which featured Millie Bobby Brown).

Kate Trefry pens the stage script, while Tony Award winner Stephen Daldry will direct, joined by co-director Justin Martin.

Production is being handled by Netflix in partnership with Sonia Friedman Productions; the Duffer Brothers serve as creative producers and 21 Laps Entertainment is attached as an associate producer.

Matt and Ross Duffer say they’re excited to take the Stranger Things universe out of the television format and present a brand-new story live, and they’re especially pleased that the world premiere will take place in a city renowned for its theatre scene: London.

Delving into Henry Creel's past becomes the core focus of Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Set decades before the Netflix phenomenon, this stage play unveils Hawkins' hidden genesis

The year is 1959, a fresh start for the Creel family in seemingly ordinary Indiana

Young versions of beloved characters Joyce Byers, Jim Hopper, and Bob Newby take center stage

Creators Ross and Matt Duffer saw an opportunity unexplored by the television series

They craved the nostalgic atmosphere of the 1950s, rivaling their affection for the '80s

This theatrical journey connects the dots between past events and the show's iconic future

Government secrets and eerie supernatural forces already simmer beneath the town's surface

Audiences witness the origins of the terrifying gateway to the sinister Upside Down

Understanding Henry's formative years is presented as crucial to grasping the saga's ultimate fate

The play promises revelations destined to reshape Hawkins forever

Isabella Pappas, Oscar Lloyd, and Christopher Buckley embody the teenage trio

Louis McCartney portrays the complex and feared Henry Creel in his youth

This live experience offers a deeper dive into the mythology fans adore

It's an invitation to witness the foundational moments preceding the world turning upside down

The First Shadow assembles pivotal figures before Hawkins' dark descent

Anticipatory glimpses emerge as the full trailer heralds Season 5's final battle

October 30 marks the countdown

Meet the foundational generation shaping tomorrow's heroes:

Henry Creel's father, Victor, portrayed by Michael Jibson

His mother, Virginia Creel, embodied by Lauren Ward

The Wheelers' patriarch, Ted, played by Gilles Gear

Their mother-to-be, Karen Childress, interpreted by Florence Guy

The Byers family lineage includes Lonnie, father to Will and Jonathan, featuring Chase Brown

Sinclair parents Charles (Ammar Duffus) and Sue Anderson (Kemi Awoderu)

Stand as Lucas and Erica's bedrock

Dustin's origin ties to Claudia Yount, brought to life by Maisie Norma Seaton

Dr. Brenner's ominous presence manifests through Patrick Vaill

The wait is finally over for fans of the hit Netflix supernatural series. After a prolonged production period, executives have officially announced that the fifth and final season will debut on June 2nd.

This concluding chapter promises to resolve the lingering questions about the Upside Down, the fate of Hawkins, and our beloved characters who have grown up before viewers' eyes since the show's debut.

Production delays stemming from industry strikes pushed the timeline back significantly, but creators the Duffer Brothers have assured audiences that the extended development period has allowed them to craft a finale worthy of the show's legacy.

Cast members, including Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard, have shared emotional social media posts about completing their final scenes together, signaling the end of an era that transformed many of their careers.

While the series comes to a close, the franchise continues expanding through other mediums, including the currently-running West End theatrical production that explores the origins of key elements from the show's mythology.

Netflix has reportedly invested a record budget for these final episodes, promising spectacular visual effects and an epic conclusion to the story that began with a missing boy and a mysterious girl with extraordinary abilities.

Stranger Things Finale & Stage

News update: the Stranger Things finale will launch on Netflix and will also be screened in select theaters during organized fan events.

Viewers can choose to watch the finale via streaming or join in-person screenings arranged for fans.

Announcement date: October 23.

Kyle Lambert is the visionary artist behind the iconic "Stranger Things" posters that have become synonymous with the hit Netflix series. His distinctive illustration style captures the show's nostalgic 1980s aesthetic while creating memorable imagery that resonates with fans worldwide.

Lambert's journey with "Stranger Things" began when the Duffer Brothers approached him before the first season premiered. They were drawn to his previous work that demonstrated a clear understanding of the vintage movie poster style they wanted to evoke for their series.

"They were looking for something that would feel authentic to the era but still connect with modern audiences," Lambert explains. "I wanted to create imagery that honored those classic Drew Struzan posters from films like 'E.T.' and 'The Goonies' while establishing a unique visual identity for the show."

Each season presents new creative challenges as Lambert balances incorporating new characters and storylines while maintaining visual consistency. His process typically begins with rough sketches before moving to digital painting, where he meticulously crafts the lighting and color palette that gives each poster its distinctive mood.

The artist's attention to detail has earned him a dedicated following among the show's fanbase, with many collectors eagerly anticipating each new poster release. His work has expanded beyond just season posters to include special edition artwork and promotional materials.

With "Stranger Things: The First Shadow" bringing the universe to London's stage, Lambert continues his artistic collaboration with the franchise, creating imagery that bridges the world between screen and stage while maintaining the visual language fans have come to love.

Behold exclusive production stills from the stage phenomenon

Offering a thrilling glimpse into the eerie universe of Stranger Things: The First Shadow

These visuals unveil the haunting prequel narrative currently captivating London audiences

Immerse yourself in the world of Hawkins, Indiana with a theatrical twist that captivates London audiences nightly. The West End production brings the supernatural small town to life through innovative stagecraft and compelling performances.

Set years before the beloved Netflix series begins, this prequel explores the origins of mysteries that would later haunt the show's young protagonists. The narrative weaves through the 1950s, revealing connections to characters and phenomena fans have come to obsess over.

Award-winning playwright Kate Trefry, who served as a writer on the original series, has crafted a story that both stands alone for newcomers and rewards devotees with deeper mythology. Her script balances nostalgic references with fresh revelations.

Director Stephen Daldry, known for his work on "Billy Elliot" and "The Crown," brings visual flair to the production. His collaboration with co-director Justin Martin creates moments of genuine wonder and terror on stage.

The innovative set design transforms the Phoenix Theatre into multiple locations from the Stranger Things universe, utilizing practical effects alongside cutting-edge technology to recreate supernatural occurrences that seem impossible in a live setting.

Musical selections blend period-appropriate tunes with hints of the synthesizer-heavy themes that define the show's soundscape, creating an auditory experience that bridges decades.

For those planning to attend, the production runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with an interval, and tickets have become some of the most sought-after in London's theatrical season.

Stranger Things Stage Adaptation

The documentary "Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow" chronicles the ambitious staging of the acclaimed stage play

currently captivating audiences at London's Phoenix Theatre since its December 2023 premiere.

This production delves into 1959 Hawkins, exploring formative years of Joyce, Hopper, and Bob Newby

while introducing young Henry Creel, whose arrival disrupts the town's fragile equilibrium.

Creative forces including the Duffer Brothers and Kate Trefry expand the Stranger Things mythology

through theatrical innovation, earning critical praise for redefining stagecraft boundaries.

The narrative's first act, titled "Chapter One: The Girl from Nowhere," establishes pivotal bonds

between central characters that resonate throughout the television series' later events.

As the production enters its second year, the ensemble welcomes new performers including Louis Healy as Henry Creel

and Callum Maxwell portraying Bob Newby, joining established cast members in this evolving prequel narrative.

Ongoing creative developments maintain the production's freshness for returning audiences.

The accompanying documentary provides unprecedented access to the intense rehearsal process

and technical challenges faced by the cast and crew during the play's journey to the West End stage.

This behind-the-scenes perspective offers fans deeper insight into the show's intricate world-building

and the collaborative efforts sustaining its theatrical magic since debut.Jessica Rhodes takes on the role of Joyce Maldonado onstage; her theatre work includes The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Doubt: A Parable at Chichester, and The Sugar Syndrome at the Orange Tree. On screen, she has appeared in Finders Keepers and the film Artemis Fowl.

George Smale appears as James Hopper Jr., with past theatre credits such as AS-NT at Theatre 503, Honest Poverty at the Finborough, and Princess Mononoke at the New Diorama. His TV work includes Slow Horses and Masters of the Air.

Patty Newby plays Bob’s sister in the production, and the cast also introduces familiar names from the Stranger Things universe: Chief Hopper (Shane Attwooll), Principal Newby (Matthew Pidgeon), Alan Munson (Max Harwood) and Walter Henderson (Calum Ross).

The First Shadow is currently running at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End.

A Broadway transfer is scheduled for spring 2025, with performances set for the Marquis Theatre in New York City.

Members of the Stranger Things family have been spotted at performances: David Harbour, Matthew Modine and Cara Buono attended the West End premiere, while Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Finn Wolfhard and Caleb McLaughlin have visited to see the show. The actor who plays Vecna also dropped by a preview and posed with Louis McCartney, who plays a young Henry Creel; McCartney said Jamie (the show’s creative lead) entrusted him with the role and was visibly touched and supportive at the premiere.

The production has collected several honours: Olivier Awards in April 2024 for Best New Entertainment or Comedy and for Best Set Design; a Whatsonstage Award for Best New Play in February 2024; and recognition at the U.K. Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards for Best Set Design, while Louis McCartney was named Most Promising Newcomer.

Tickets are available now through the show’s official website, and the production maintains social channels (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter) for on-sale announcements and updates.

While you plan a trip to see the stage show or wait for Season 5, consider rewatching Season 4 to spot callbacks and hidden details—the production’s key art and Easter eggs might give you extra clues.

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