Netflix’s golden goose franchise, Stranger Things, has a new chapter. Set over 20 years before the start of the series, it is effectively an ‘origin story’ for Henry Creel, and what sets him on his journey to become the series’ big bad, Vecna. Henry’s time at Hawkins High School overlaps with that of some familiar faces, featuring a young Joyce, Hopper, Bob and several others which have various relations to the characters in the series. Get ready for more mysterious powers, loveable characters, shady government officials in an all-new setting, and the best part? It’s live on stage.
The First Shadow follows an original story written by series creators; The Duffer brothers, regular series writer Kate Trefry, and the legendary theatre writer behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Jack Thorne. Within the first 5 minutes, you feel as if you’re watching an episode of the TV series. A fantastic flashback sequence which utilises almost every aspect of on-stage special effects instantly epitomises the tension and mystery which is undoubtedly, Stranger Things. This was swiftly followed by a rapturous applause as a projection of the title sequence from the series was displayed onto the safety screen. Each of the acts even has their own chapter names, just as each episode of the series does.
As previously mentioned, the play centres around young Henry Creel, but also manages to juggle younger versions of the characters from the series and new characters we’ve never seen before. As an avid Stranger Things fan, the first thing that struck me was how spot on the casting was for the younger versions of the original characters. In particular, Christopher Buckley (Bob Newby), Isabella Pappas (Joyce Maldonado) and Oscar Lloyd (James Hopper Jr). Not only does it look like the theatre company created a Time Machine and brought young Sean Astin, Winona Ryder and David Harbour (who respectively play the latter characters in the series), but the performances are convincingly in-character too. Christopher Buckley is delightfully likeable as young Bob Newby, aptly earning is later nickname as ‘the brain’. Meanwhile, Isabella Pappas brings the hot tempered nature to a young Joyce as she deals with directing a school play and her frolicking with James Hopper Jr. As for Hopper Jr, Oscar Lloyd brings what I regard as ‘Steve Harrington’ energy to a young Jim Hopper. The guy has a keen eye to get to the bottom of a mystery which his father, Chief James Hopper Sr (Shane Attwooll) is neglecting. Lloyd and Pappas both give hints of the boisterousness of their older counterparts, whilst providing the vulnerable moments when needed. As for other characters from the series, we get a glimpse of younger versions of the parents of our fan favourites. This includes a young Ted Wheeler and Karen Childress, playfully portrayed by Gilles Geary and Florence Guy respectively. For the first time in the series’ history, we are even shown the fathers to Dustin and Eddie; Walter Henderson (Calum Ross) and Alan Munson (Max Harwood), who provide the goofiness they will later pass down to their children in the show, whilst also providing a unique take on new characters.
The real star of the show (literally) is Louis McCartney as a teenaged Henry Creel, in what is his professional West End debut. Not only does McCartney convincingly provide the makings of a sociopathic antagonist, he also provides substantial vulnerability to a character who is a teenaged boy attempting to navigate high school in the 1950s. Henry Creel is a heavily introverted outcast, spending most of his time testing his mysterious psychic abilities in his family’s attic. In addition, he befriends newcomer to the Stranger Things universe, Patty Newby (Ella Karuna Williams), Bob’s adoptive sister. The chemistry between Creel and Newby is a highlight of the show, with Newby allowing Creel’s more human side to show, giving us not only a new perspective on a recurring character, but also warming us to a exceedingly likeable newcomer.
I have no doubt I could write many more words describing the play from the perspective of a Stranger Things fan, but from a newcomer’s perspective, it might be different. Most of the people who go to see this play will undoubtedly have watched the series, but if you are one of the few who hasn’t, then I would still highly recommend it. It is a marvel in on-stage special effects, arranging multiple scenes and juggling multiple characters in a way which doesn’t feel cluttered, and a sympathetic story of teenagers trying to navigate the pressures of a changing world. All meticulously put together by accomplished theatre director Stephen Daldry, and his fantastic team of set designers, choreographers, and producers. The best way I can describe Stranger Things: The First Shadow to both fans of the series and newcomers is this: It is the new Harry Potter and the Cursed Child of theatre. An exceptional addition to an already exceptional world, giving a brand new perspective on the world and it’s characters, whilst also being a fantastic testament to the work of theatre production. Being the earliest story told in the series’ timeline, perhaps for newcomers it will even make a remarkable introduction to the Stranger Things universe…
G does Films 