The London stage play based on “Stranger Things” has announced its cast, set dates for previews, and has a formal opening date. “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is a prequel to the Netflix hit series set in 1959. Previews for the show will begin on November 17th, 2023 at the Phoenix Theater in London’s West End. Rehearsals for the play written by Kate Telfry and directed by Stephen Daldry, with Justin Martin co-directing, are currently underway.
“It’s a joy to discover the world of “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” with our ferociously talented cast and watch the alchemy amongst our entire company grow as we together explore this new play,” Daldry and Martin said in a statement. “They’re an extraordinarily gifted group of actors, and we can’t wait to share this original story with audiences.”
“The First Shadow” stars Shane Attwooll, Christopher Buckley, Michael Jibson, Oscar Lloyd, Louis McCartney, Isabella Pappas, Patrick Vaill, Lauren Ward and Ella Karuna Williams. The ensemble: Kemi Awoderu, Chase Brown, Ammar Duffus, Gilles Geary, Florence Guy, Max Harwood, Matthew Pidgeon, Calum Ross, Maisie Norma Seaton, Tricia Adele-Turner, Lauren Arney, Reya-Nyomi Brown, Patricia Castro, Lydia Fraser, Isaac Gryn, Mark Hammersley, Tom Peters, Kingdom Sibanda, Tiana Simone, Danny Sykes, and Meesha Turner.
“The cast of “Stranger Things: The Fist Shadow” is nothing short of phenomenal,” said Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of “Stranger Things.” “These actors brilliantly explore the early days of many fan favorites – including Hopper, Joyce, Bob, Henry and Dr. Brenner – while also bringing new characters to vivid life. We couldn’t be more thrilled and can’t wait for you to meet them all live on stage. See you in London, nerds!”
The play’s logline: “Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s (Lloyd) car won’t start, Bob Newby’s (Buckley) sister (Williams) won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado (Pappas) just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel (McCartney) arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy…and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.”
Netflix first announced the stage production, its first attempt at live theater, in July 2022. The company is producing the play alongside Sonia Friedman Productions. Telfry, a writer and producer for the series, wrote the play, from a story by the Duffer brothers, Jack Thorne, and Telfry. The Duffers are creative producers, and “Stranger Things” EP Shawn Levy‘s 21 Laps Entertainment is associate producer.
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is set to open on December 14th. Check out the official website for ticket information.
