The First Shadow, a stage adaptation of the popular series Stranger Things, finally has an official premiere date in London's West End. Along with this exciting news, the cast members who will be portraying a young Jim Hopper, Joyce Byers (nee Maldonado), and Bob Newby have also been revealed. The play will delve into the lives of these beloved characters during their teenage years and explore the intriguing mysteries that brought them together.
The show has been expertly crafted by writer Kate Telfry and will be directed by Stephen Daldry, with additional co-direction from Justin Martin. Telfry, who is already well-known as a writer and executive producer for the TV series, penned the play based on a story by the Duffer brothers, Jack Thorne, and herself. The action takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins in 1959, and the production will begin preview performances on November 17 at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End. Finally, fans can mark their calendars for the grand opening on December 14.
"It's thrilling to immerse oneself in the enchanting world of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, accompanied by our incredibly talented cast and witness the magic that unfolds as our entire company grows together while delving into this captivating new play," shared Daldry and Martin in an official statement (via The Hollywood Reporter). "The actors comprising our ensemble are truly exceptional, and we eagerly anticipate sharing this captivating origin story with audiences."
In The First Shadow, we have the phenomenally talented Oscar Lloyd portraying Hopper, Isabella Pappas as Joyce, and Christopher Buckley taking on the role of Bob Newby. The enigmatic Creel family is brought to life by Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, while Mike Jibson captivates as Victor Creel, and Tony award winner Lauren Ward shines as Virginia.
The ensemble for Stranger Things: The First Shadow includes an exceptional group of actors consisting of Kemi Awoderu, Chase Brown, Ammar Duffus, Gilles Geary, Florence Guy, Max Harwood, Matthew Pidgeon, Calum Ross, Maisie Norma Seaton, Tricia Adele-Turner, Lauren Arney, Reya-Nyomi Brown, Patricia Castro, Lydia Fraser, Isaac Gryn, Mark Hammersley, Tom Peters, Kingdom Sibanda, Tiana Simone, Danny Sykes, and Meesha Turner. They will be portraying various roles in the production, which have not yet been disclosed.
According to Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of Stranger Things, the cast for Stranger Things: The First Shadow is truly outstanding. These talented actors skillfully bring to life the early experiences of beloved characters such as Hopper, Joyce, Bob, Henry, and Dr. Brenner. Additionally, they also bring fresh characters to the forefront, enriching the overall storytelling. The anticipation is high, and the creators are excited for the audience to witness their performances live on stage in London. They eagerly await the opportunity to introduce you to each of these characters. Prepare to be amazed, nerds!
There is no announcement yet if the show will eventually expand overseas to the United States, but should the show do well, it's possible The First Shadow could be cast over Broadway down the line.