We are still at least a year from the premiere of Stranger Things’ final season on Netflix, but if you’re in London, you may have a chance to see a whole new chapter of the story before then. Later this year, a stageplay set in the world of Stranger things is set to hit the West End Theater of London. The show is produced by the Duffer Bros and will be canon to the franchise.
What sets this story apart from the TV series is the time period. While the show is set in the 80s, the play will take us back to Hawkins, Indiana, 1959 where we’ll meet young versions of Jim Hopper, Joyce Maldonado, Bob Newby and Henry Creel.
There have been no story details revealed as of year for the play, titled The First Shadow, but it teases that it will: “take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end.”
A stage adaptation of seminal series Stranger Things will officially open in the West End in autumn 2023. Previously teased by the series’ producer Netflix last year, the new stage production is to be directed by Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Inheritance) with co-direction by Justin Martin (Prima Facie). Kate Trefry, who is an executive co-producer and writer on the sci-fi series, has penned the new script. It is to be produced by Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions, with the show’s creators The Duffer Brothers acting as creative producers, and 21Laps (founded and run by Stranger Things’ series director Shawn Levy) as associate producers. Matt and Ross Duffer commented: “We are beyond excited about Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Collaborating with the brilliant Stephen Daldry has been nothing short of inspiring, and Kate Trefry has written a play that is at turns surprising, scary, and heartfelt. “You will meet endearing new characters, as well as very familiar ones, on a journey into the past that sets the groundwork for the future of Stranger Things. We’re dying to tell you more about the story but won’t – it’s more fun to discover it for yourself. Can’t wait to see you nerds in London!” Unlike the TV series, which grounds itself in 1980s pop culture, the stage production will be set in 1959 with characters including a young Jim Hopper, Joyce Maldonado, Bob Newby and Henry Creel (played respectively by David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Sean Astin and Jamie Campbell Bower on screen). The production teases that the stage production “will take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end.” Sonia Friedman added: “The world and mythology of Stranger Things has enabled a rich and fertile ground for creating an incredible story for the stage. The Duffer Brothers have built a huge global following for good reason, and a world-class creative team has built on their boundless imagination to dream up an unbelievably exciting theatrical event for our audiences. “Set within the canon of Stranger Things, this new play opens in London, with the West End hosting the only place in the world to experience this new story – for now. I’m thrilled to reunite with my visionary long-term collaborator Stephen Daldry. Together, with our brilliant Netflix partners, we can’t wait to welcome Stranger Things fans into theatre, and theatregoers into the realm of Stranger Things.” The show is set to open at the Phoenix Theatre “late in 2023”, with casting, on-sale details and dates to be revealed in due course. Greg Lombardo, VP Live Experiences for Netflix commented: “Stranger Things has captured the imagination of fans around the world and we are incredibly thrilled to expand this exciting universe with Netflix’s first live stage production. With the creative talents of Matt and Ross Duffer combined with Sonia Friedman and Stephen Daldry, theatregoers will be swept up in a truly epic event worthy of Stranger Things.” Stranger Things: The First Shadow will have set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, illusions design by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, video design by 59 Productions, movement direction by Coral Messam, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, casting by Charlotte Sutton CDG, international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan, Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates is Technical Director, with further creative team members to be announced.