Inside Look: Stranger Things Prequel Play 'The First Shadow' Unveils Behind-the-Scenes Secrets

Netflix's latest featurette provides a glimpse into the highly-anticipated Stranger Things prequel play, The First Shadow. Set to debut on the renowned West End in London, this captivating production takes place in 1959 and follows the journey of a young protagonist named Henry Creel. As Henry embarks on his life in the enigmatic town of Hawkins, he eventually becomes a part of the enthralling Hawkins Lab test program as its very first subject, known as 001. Along the way, Henry finds himself entangled in a blossoming romance with the charming Patty Newby, portrayed by Ella Karuna Williams. Notably, beloved characters such as Joyce, Hopper, and Bob from Stranger Things also make appearances, portrayed by younger versions of themselves. The featurette immerses viewers in the behind-the-scenes world of this remarkable production, showcasing intimate interviews with the talented cast and crew, as well as sneak peeks of their rehearsals.

Introducing the featurette, The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, express their excitement for the project. Matt Duffer enthusiastically states, "The team behind The First Shadow is the ultimate dream team." Joining forces with long-time collaborator Justin Martin, Stephen Daldry, renowned for directing the acclaimed Billy Elliot film and its musical adaptation, co-directs the production. Daldry shares his admiration for Stranger Things, saying, "The series has achieved worldwide success and has been a passion project for me for many years."

The featurette reveals that Daldry leads a team of experienced stage creators. Writer Kate Triffy reveals, "During our workshop day, almost half of our team was absent because they all won Tonys." As expected, the production will incorporate an array of impressive visual effects, showcasing monsters and gory elements. The featurette offers glimpses of rehearsal footage, teasing the audience with hints of these effects, while withholding their full reveal.

The First Shadow starts its run on November 17. There are currently no plans to bring the show outside of London.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled about the upcoming Stranger Things prequel play, "The First Shadow." The behind-the-scenes featurette unveiled some exciting secrets and gave us a glimpse into the captivating origins of the menacing Henry Creel. It's fascinating to see how the character's dark journey unfolds, especially in relation to the enigmatic Hawkins Lab test program.

The featurette also revealed the involvement of beloved characters like Joyce, Hopper, and Bob from Stranger Things, which adds a nostalgic touch for fans of the series. Seeing younger versions of these characters will be an interesting experience and will provide more depth to their backstories. The inclusion of impressive visual effects, monsters, and gory elements further enhances the excitement, as they are integral parts of the Stranger Things universe.