Why You Should Watch STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW Before It Closes

Stranger Things: From screen to stage

Ten years ago, the sci-fi horror series Stranger Things premiered on Netflix and quickly exploded into a cultural phenomenon. Audiences fell in love with its coming-of-age story, eerie small-town mystery, and deep sense of ‘80s nostalgia with its music, aesthetics, and homages to beloved films of the era. Set in Hawkins, Indiana, a young boy’s disappearance and his friends’ desperate attempts to find him reveal the existence of a sinister supernatural presence in the town. Stranger Things aired its highly anticipated, widely-watched (and somewhat divisive) series finale last year.

The First Shadow is a prequel to the show, set twenty-four years before the first season. It's 1959, and young Henry Creel - who will go on to become Vecna, the villain of Stranger Things - is a disturbed, traumatised teenager who moves to Hawkins with his family for a fresh start. As Hawkins High puts on a play and the town is plagued by a string of freak accidents, Henry grows closer to fellow misfit Patty Newby while struggling to control his mysterious and deadly powers.

Will Stranger Things fans enjoy The First Shadow?

The play very much feels like a love letter to Stranger Things. Packed with Easter eggs for keen-eyed fans, it fleshes out the universe of the show, from the early experiments at Hawkins Lab to the origins of Henry's powers. It explores his descent into darkness while simultaneously humanising him as a terrified teenager manipulated by forces beyond his control, bringing an added layer of depth to an already fascinating character. It's also a thrill to see the younger selves of characters we know and love from the show, like Joyce Byers (Maldonado here), Jim Hopper, and Bob Newby, as well as teenage versions of the parents of Mike, Will, Dustin, and Lucas, the show’s young heroes.

For fans who were disappointed with the final season, The First Shadow feels like a return to the tone of the first two seasons of Stranger Things. It embodies the atmosphere of a spooky small-town mystery in which ordinary people are confronted with the horror of the unknown, where supernatural monsters feel like a metaphor for coming of age in a society where you don't fit in. 

Miriam Buether’s set design fully immerses us into this sleepy, rural small town aesthetic, imbuing locations like the hallways of Hawkins High and Melvald’s diner with a cozy vintage feeling. It appeals to the same sense of nostalgia that made Stranger Things so popular, even for those who didn’t grow up in the era. D.J. Walde’s musical orchestrations similarly draw inspiration from the show’s soundtrack, including iconic tracks like 'Kids'.

Can you enjoy the play if you haven’t seen the show?

Even with all the callbacks, The First Shadow stands on its own as an independent story, distinct enough that you wouldn't be confused if you haven't watched Stranger Things. Similarly, the final season makes a light reference to some of the events of the play, but deliberately keeps the two apart so viewers won't be lost if they haven't seen the play.

The play chronicles Henry Creel's transformation into Vecna. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Spectacle, thrills, and horror

The First Shadow is a marvel of visual spectacle, as overwhelming in scale as it is in length, running at a whopping three hours. The special effects and illusions are utterly breath-taking: from Henry's victims levitating into the air to the impenetrable darkness when he steps into the Void, the Mind Flayer looming over the stage and even a brief appearance from a demogorgon. Jon Clark's lighting design and Paul Arditti's sound design are chillingly effective in creating the impression of reality itself splintering as Henry is tormented by the Mind Flayer.

It feels deeply cinematic, with a screen projecting a bird’s eye view of Hawkins or flashing with newspaper headlines and government files. A revolving stage creates a sense of dynamism as characters move from scene to scene. The staging embodies the style of a Stranger Things episode, opening with the iconic title sequence and music (which never fails to inspire cheers from the audience) and chapter titles for each act. It's also very immersive: the lights within the theatre itself flicker when Henry uses his powers, and Hazmat-clad Hawkins Lab employees stride through the audience and shine their torches suspiciously in our faces.

And if you enjoy horror, The First Shadow absolutely delivers on that front. Along with the many jump scares and moments of body horror, there's also a deep-seated sense of psychological dread throughout: a brand of cosmic horror that feels very Lovecraftian. It's the innate terror of an immense, incomprehensible supernatural threat that lurks just out of sight but makes its presence terrifyingly known.

The cast and characters

Alongside the thrills and chills, the play is also very character-driven, and an exceptionally talented cast makes these characters feel even more authentic and compelling. Edie Wright and Adam Wadsworth have a delightful chemistry as Joyce and Hopper. They embody enough of Winona Ryder and David Harbour's performances to feel believable as younger versions of the characters, while still making the roles their own. Max Potter (also doing his best impression of a young Sean Astin) is utterly loveable as Bob Newby, while Avril Maponga imbues newcomer Patty Newby with both endearing awkwardness and heartfelt depth.

The stand-out, of course, is Paddy Bever, who manages to make Henry feel simultaneously sympathetic and unsettling, switching seamlessly from vulnurable and terrified to sinister and unhinged. As the play progresses, he begins subtly mimicking Jamie Campbell Bower's mannerisms and style of speaking. He also demonstrates a masterful sense of physicality, twitching and seizing as his powers spiral out of control.

The supporting cast is equally great, especially Lauren O’Neil as Henry’s frightened and conflicted mother Virginia Creel and Stewart Clarke as the menacing Dr Brenner. The actors playing the Hawkins High students are especially charming - each character feels fresh, distinctive and entertaining, and they inject some much-needed levity and slapstick humour into an otherwise bleak story. Even with moments that feel a bit goofy, like a somewhat random musical interval, the play manages to strike a nice balance between humour and darkness - just like Stranger Things, which never shied away from goofiness or whimsy.

Revisit some of the beloved characters from the show like Joyce, Hopper, and Bob. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Why do audiences love Stranger Things: The First Shadow?

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the show or a newcomer, there’s something irresistibly compelling about this story. At its core, beneath all the supernatural elements, it's a coming of age story. The main characters are teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, trying to navigate the expectations forced on them by their parents and escape a claustrophobic small town that is consumed by paranoia and prejudice against anyone who doesn’t conform. Counterposed against the supernatural evil is the reality of human evil, whether it’s the cruelty of school bullies and neglectful parents or the war that’s left its veterans grappling with PTSD or the malicious activities of the US government in response to the Red Scare.

All these themes feel universally relatable, as does the central question of the play, posed by Joyce: can love defeat fear?

Don't miss your chance to experience the wonder, horror, tragedy, and drama of Stranger Things: The First Shadow before the curtains fall. It's also the perfect show to watch for Halloween - and if you're looking for more inspiration for spooky season, here are some more of our top picks for Halloween-appropriate theatre shows. Also check out our list of 13 must-see shows to watch this autumn - two of them even star Stranger Things alumni!

Stranger Things: The First Shadow Tickets