# Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a play written by Kate Trefry from an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Trefry. The story serves as a prequel to the events of the television series Stranger Things. It first previewed on November 17, 2023, and officially opened on December 14 at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End to rave reviews.

## 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, directed by Stephen Daldry, and written by Kate Trefry, based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne 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 Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, illusions design & visual effects by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, video design & 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, 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 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.

### Broadway (2025)

On August 6, 2024 it was announced that the show would transfer to Broadway in Spring 2025. Previews are expected to begin at the Marquis Theatre on March 28, 2025, while the play's official opening date is scheduled for April 22, 2025. Louis McCartney was announced to be reprising the role of Henry Creel for the Broadway transfer in 2025.

## Principal cast and characters

| Character | West End |
| Character | 2023 |
| James Hopper Jr. | Oscar Lloyd |
| Joyce Maldonado | Isabella Pappas |
| Bob Newby | Chris Buckley |
| Henry Creel | Louis McCartney |
| Dr. Brenner | Patrick Vaill |
| Alan Munson | Max Harwood |
| Patty Newby | Ella Karuna Williams |
| Victor Creel | Michael Jibson |
| Virginia Creel | Lauren Ward |
| Alice Creel | Imogen Turner |
| Alice Creel | Faith Delaney |
| Alice Creel | Anika Boyle |
| Alice Creel | Lily Crawford |
| Chief Hopper | Shane Attwooll |
| Lonnie Byers | Chase Brown |
| Charles Sinclair | Ammar Duffus |
| Ted Wheeler | Gilles Geary |
| Karen Childress | Florence Guy |
| Principal Newby | Matthew Pidgeon |
| Walter Henderson | Calum Ross |
| Claudia Yount | Maisie Norma Seaton |
| Sue Anderson | Kemi Awoderu |

### Notable replacements
#### West End (2023-)

* Virginia Creel: Lauren O'Neil

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best New Play | Best New Play | Won |
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best Professional Debut Performance | Louis McCartney | Nominated |
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best Casting Direction | Jessica Ronane | Nominated |
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best Lighting Design | Jon Clark | Nominated |
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best Set Design | Miriam Buether | Nominated |
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best Sound Design | Paul Arditti | Nominated |
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best Video Design | 59 Productions | Nominated |
| 2024 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best Graphic Design | The Creative Partnership | Nominated |
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Entertainment or Comedy Play | Best Entertainment or Comedy Play | Won |
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Director | Stephen Daldry (Director), Justin Martin (Co-Director) | Nominated |
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Lighting Design | Jon Clark | Nominated |
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Set Design | Miriam Buether (Set Design), 59 Productions (Video Design) | Won |
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Sound Design | Paul Arditti | Nominated |