New Cast Joins West End’s ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ at Phoenix Theatre

Stranger Things fans, get ready! The smash-hit play Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre is adding some new faces to its already stellar cast. Unlike the ’80s-set Netflix series we all know and love, this stage prequel takes us back to 1959 in Hawkins, Indiana, where a young Jim Hopper, Joyce Maldonado, Bob Newby, and Henry Creel navigate a small town on the brink of big changes. Expect to dive into the origins of familiar faces and witness the early seeds of Hawkins’ supernatural troubles.

Penned by Kate Trefry with a story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry, and directed by Stephen Daldry alongside co-director Justin Martin, the show has been described as a “major visual spectacle” that brings a whole new dimension to the Stranger Things universe. The production has been sweeping up praise and awards, including the Best New Play at the WhatsOnStage Awards and an Olivier Award for Best Set Design.

Joining the cast from November 14 are Louis Healy (The Full Monty) as Henry Creel, Callum Maxwell (Peter Pan) as Bob Newby, Miranda Mufema (Macbeth) as Patty Newby, Luke Mullins (The Tempest) as Dr. Brenner, Jessica Rhodes (The Tempest) as Joyce Maldonado, and George Smale (AS-NT) as James Hopper Jr. These fresh additions promise to bring even more depth and intrigue to the already compelling narrative. The rest of the new cast lineup will be announced soon, so stay tuned!

The show features an all-star creative team, with Miriam Buether handling scenic design, Brigitte Reiffenstuel on costumes, Jon Clark lighting the stage, and Paul Arditti crafting the soundscape. Visual effects are masterfully handled by Jamie Harrison, Chris Fisher, and 59 Productions, ensuring that the otherworldly atmosphere of Hawkins is perfectly captured on stage.

So if you’re keen to explore the early days of Hawkins and see how it all began, tickets for Stranger Things: The First Shadow are on sale now, with performances scheduled well into 2025. Don’t miss your chance to experience the mystery, drama, and supernatural twists that only Stranger Things can deliver—this time, with a theatrical twist!

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com