If there is only one theatre show in London you see this year, make it Stranger Things: The First Shadow! It’s THE must-see West End London theatre show for 2024-2025!
Despite having an MA in English Language & Literature, I have to admit I’m not the greatest theatre fan. However, with the West End at my doorstep I do make a conscious effort to go see at least one high production theatre show a year. Mostly, for research for my blog to recommend to my readers. (You see how much effort I go through for you?!)
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This summer I decided to go see Stranger Things: The First Shadow. And boy, I was completely blown away by the production and have recommended it to many friends already, urging them to go see it.
Because, this theatre version of Stranger Things is unlike any show I’ve ever seen and sets a whole new bar for the theatre world. If you’re coming to London and are considering what West End theatre play to go see, I urge you to make it Stranger Things: The First Shadow. You’ll be in for a delightful treat!
To help make up your mind and answer the questions you might have about it, I wrote this article for you. This isn’t a sponsored post and I paid for the ticket myself so my enthusiasm is 100% genuine!
Go straight to:
- Is the Stranger Things theatre play based on the Netflix series?
- Does the theatre version of Stranger Things have the same music as the series?
- Do I need to watch the Stranger Things Netflix series before visiting the play?
- What is Stranger Things: The First Shadow about?
- Where is the Stranger Things theatre show?
- Is the theatre show Stranger Things: The First Shadow worth visiting?
- What are the best seats in Phoenix Theatre for Stranger Things: The First Shadow?
- Is the Stranger Things theatre show suitable for all ages?
Is the Stranger Things theatre play based on the Netflix series?
Yes, absolutely! The Stranger Things: The First Shadow theatre show has been co-developed with the Duffer Brothers, the original creators of the popular Netflix series. The theatre show ties in neatly with the Netflix series and also has the same atmosphere. Even the actors speak in the same way as their TV versions, it’s all very cleverly done.
Does the theatre version of Stranger Things have the same music as the series?
OMG, I thought the audience was going to have a fit when the famous Stranger Things theme music blasted through the speakers after the spectacular opening act! For some reason, I didn’t think they would’ve used the music from the TV series, and felt SO exhilarated when I first heard it at the beginning of the play. Like everybody else I cheered and clapped in excitement. It was one of the most memorable moments of the show!
But since there’s a different music composer for the play (D.J. Walde) than the series (Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein), the rest of the music during the theatre play is different from the series. However, it still has the same eerie atmosphere as the series and sounds fab!
Do I need to watch the Stranger Things Netflix series before visiting the play?
I would highly recommend doing so. I rewatched all four seasons prior to seeing the theatre show because I couldn’t fully remember everything that had happened. It also brought me in the right mood for my theatre visit!
Especially season 4 is essential for understanding who the main characters in the play are. So, if you don’t have the time or can’t get yourself to rewatch the entire series, do make sure you know what season 4 was about!
But to be honest, if you’re about to go see the theatre show, you’re likely to be a fan of the Stranger Things series and more than happy to watch all seasons again! I found it very helpful to watch all seasons one after another as it enabled me to connect many dots I failed to miss before.
What is Stranger Things: The First Shadow about?
The theatre show Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set in Hawkins, Indiana, 1959, 24 years before season 1 of the TV series begins. Thanks to the clever use of occasional film footage during the play, you’ll get drawn right back in one of the most famous fictional American towns you know so well from the series.
We see all our favourite adult characters from Stranger Things as teenagers, trying to deal with ordinary teenage stuff. Like fitting in a new school, or trying to impress the girl you fancy, working out what to do after graduation etc. Basically, all the things I’m happy to NOT have to deal with anymore as a 40+-year-old ha ha!
We see prominent roles for Joyce Maldonado (played by Isabella Pappas) who can’t wait to graduate and leave town. In the meantime, she’s directing a theatre play featuring her schoolmates whilst dating troublemaker Lonnie Byers (Chase Brown), yes Will’s and Jonathan’s no-good-for-nothing father.
Then there’s young – and skinny! – James Hopper JR (Oscar Lloyd) who can’t do anything right in the eyes of his mean father, Chief Hopper (Shane Attwooll).
Another prominent role is given to Bob Newby (Christoper Buckley), a nerdy guy with a radio show and a big crush on Joyce. His adopted sister Patty Newby (Ella Karuna Williams) is a new character who didn’t appear in the TV show but plays a crucial role in the theatre version of Stranger Things. She befriends newcomer Henry Creel, better known as Vecna in the TV series!
Besides these main characters, it’s fun to see how the parents of Dustin Henderson, Lucas and Erika Sinclair and even Eddie Munson used to be like in their teens. And who would’ve thought that Ted Wheeler, Mike and Nancy’s dull father, used to be a cool dude?!
Vecna’s Origin Story
You might remember the elaborate backstory to the becoming of Henry Creel into Vecna in season 4 of Stranger Things. Whilst this partly corresponds with his story in the theatre piece (for example the brilliant reconstruction of the scene where his mother floats into the air before he folds her Origami-style, breaking every single bone in her body), there appears to be more to Vecna’s Origin Story. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but it has to do with the phenomenal opening scene which is so dramatic and overwhelming you feel you’re watching a movie instead of a theatre play!
There’s only one thing I can’t seem to work out and that’s the timeline of the events in both the Netflix series and the West End theatre play. Because the play seems to suggest that Henry Creel was born around 1947. He was 12 years old when he came to Hawkins in 1959, leading to the disastrous event with his family. This bit is congruent with the TV series and which also confused me when I watching season 4.
Because if Henry was 12 years old in 1959, this would make him at least 30 years old when he meets Eleven. But he looks like he’s in his early twenties in the series rather than in his thirties. So, this did confuse me a bit and this is probably the bit of criticism I would have. But then again, the theatre show does seem to follow the TV series in this timeline, so it’s an overall issue rather than strictly applying to the theatre play.
Where is Stranger Things playing in London?
The theatre show Stranger Things: The First Shadow is performed at the Phoenix Theatre, right in the heart of London’s Theatre District. The address is: Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0JP.
The nearest Tube stations to Phoenix Theatre are:
Tottenham Court Road – 3-minute walk (Central Line and Northern Line)
Leicester Square – 4-minute walk (Northern Line and Piccadilly Line)
Covent Garden – 8-minute walk (Piccadilly Line)
Piccadilly Circus – 9-minute walk (Bakerloo Line and Piccadilly Line)
Is the theatre show Stranger Things: The First Shadow worth visiting?
Definitely! Forget everything you thought you knew about theatre plays, because Stranger Things: The First Shadow sets a complete new standard for theatre production!
Granted, London West End shows are always of a really high level with outstanding casts, fabulous costumes and impressive stage sets. But the speed at which the sets change during Stranger Things: The First Shadow is unheard of! I’m used to a major set change taking place during the interval, but watching the Stranger Things theatre show feels more like sitting in a live TV episode, the constant change-overs are so quick, slick and truly mind-boggling!
There were so many moments when I asked myself how on Earth they managed to do certain things on stage. They even recreated the Upside Down and the black Void we see Eleven transport to in the series, it’s all so impressive!
I’ve never felt so excited watching a theatre show, mostly thanks to the clever stage set-up. The use of light is so cleverly done and helps you flick between the Upside Down and everyday tranquil Hawkins within an instant.
What are the best seats in Phoenix Theatre for Stranger Things: The First Shadow?
There are three seating sections in Phoenix Theatre. First of all there’s the Stalls at ground level, then the Dress Circle one level higher with tiered seats, and finally the Grand Circle which is at top level with again tiered seats.
I was a bit late with buying tickets and didn’t have many options for cheaper seats. (I can’t justify the exorbitant theatre prices…) I sat in the middle of the penultimate row from the back in the Grand Circle. You can buy tickets for those back row seats at £35 each. I had checked the view from those seats online before and it seemed fine and in reality, it was indeed absolutely great!
If you don’t want to sit that high up, I would still recommend to get seats in at least the Dress Circle because I think you will else miss a lot of what’s going on on stage if you sit in the Stalls. Because I haven’t mentioned one big detail yet which is that there’s a revolving stage!
The floor consists of a big circle which revolves and so the actors and set keep moving and changing. Again, a really clever theatrical device which quickens the pace and makes it feel all more like a TV show rather than a theatre play. Having not sat in the Stalls, I don’t exactly know what it’s like from the front seats, but I can imagine you’d have a better overall view from above, as I had.
How long is the Stranger Things London show?
The showtime of the play is three hours, including an interval.
Is the Stranger Things theatre show suitable for all ages?
It was such a refreshing experience to be in the theatre surrounded by a young and diverse audience for once! But despite the fact that Stranger Things: The First Shadow attracts a much younger crowd than the average West End play, it’s not suitable for young visitors.
Phoenix Theatre recommends visitors from 12 years old. In addition, children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult and Under 5s aren’t permitted.
Since some scenes of the theatre production are quite explicit and comparable in violence and blood to the gruesome events of season 4 of Stranger Things, I’d say you or your child should at least feel comfortable watching the Stranger Things series when you go to the play.
For more information on the play, theatre or tickets, please head over to the official website:
Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
