★★★★★
‘Breathtaking Theatre’
The Guardian
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW ANNOUNCES
NEW LEAD CAST
THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING PLAY CELEBRATES SECOND ANNIVERSARY IN THE WEST END, EXTENDING UNTIL 5 APRIL 2026
★★★★★
“It’s not only a ravishingly entertaining and deceptively daring piece of theatre,
it’s also an important one.”
Sunday Times
★★★★★
“Netflix gives the West End its event of the year… The jaw-dropping coups range from the infernal, supernatural engulfing of a hulking US battle-ship to acts of levitation”
Daily Telegraph
★★★★★
“As a piece of total theatre, this is streets ahead of anything else”
Evening Standard
Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions today announce a new lead cast will join the critically acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning, world première production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. As the show approaches its second anniversary in the West End, it will also extend into its third year at the Phoenix Theatre, now running until 5 April 2026. With tickets priced at £19.59 released today, for 72 hours only, across weekday performances from 18 November – 12 December 2025 to celebrate second anniversary at the Phoenix Theatre.
Jack Christou will take over the role of Henry Creel with Stewart Clarke as Dr Brenner, Avril Maponga as Patty Newby, Max Potter as Bob Newby, Adam Wadsworth as James Hopper Jr. and Edie Wright as Joyce Maldonado. The new company begins performances on 12 November 2025, just ahead of the release of the highly anticipated fifth season of the hit Netflix series.
★★★★★
‘So insanely visceral it left my jaw on the floor’
Mail on Sunday
Also announced today is a partnership with Go Live Theatre, a charity that uses the power of live theatre to create joyful and inspiring experiences for children and young people from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds. Go Live will host an Education Matinee on Friday 21 November providing students from state schools around London with a high percentile of Pupil Premium the opportunity to see Stranger Things: The First Shadow for £10 a ticket.
The multi award-winning hit production is now running on both sides of the Atlantic, having opened on Broadway earlier this year. Its numerous accolades in London include the Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Set Design, the Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Set Design and Most Promising Newcomer, and the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play. On Broadway the play became the most nominated of the 2025 season, winning 4 Tony Awards including a special Tony Award for Illusions and Technical Effects. The Broadway production is currently booking tickets through March 2026 at The Marquis Theater.
Earlier this year, Netflix released the official documentary, Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which offers an electrifying look backstage during the making of the critically acclaimed, award-winning play in the lead up to its world premiere at London’s Phoenix Theatre in December 2023. It is available to watch now exclusively on Netflix.
★★★★★
‘Sinister and thrilling trip balances horror and humour to great effect. This is exhilarating live theatre…’
Financial Times
Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions present
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW
By Kate Trefry
Original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne & Kate Trefry
Based on the Netflix Series, Stranger Things,created by the Duffer Brothers
The Duffer Brothers act as creative producers, with 21 Laps Entertainment as associate producer.
Directed by Stephen Daldry, with co-direction by Justin Martin, leading the world class award-winning creative team, the cast includes Jack Christou (Henry Creel), Stewart Clarke (Dr Brenner), Avril Maponga (Patty Newby), Max Potter (Bob Newby), Adam Wadsworth (James Hopper Jr.) and Edie Wright (Joyce Maldonado).
ABOUT STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW
Are monsters born… or made?
In 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, the Creel family seeks a fresh start, especially their teenage son Henry, who is eager to escape his troubled past. Initially, things go well — he finds friendship and joins the school play. But when a wave of shocking crimes strikes the town, Henry is forced to confront a terrifying truth: is there something inside him that connects him to the horrors unfolding around him?
As this thrilling mystery races forward, shadows of the past are unleashed, relationships are tested, and the town of Hawkins faces the ultimate question: can the power of friendship outshine the darkness within?
With a cast of 32, this gripping stand-alone adventure will pull you deep into the world of STRANGER THINGS. Experience the heart-pounding excitement of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW—where suspense and spectacle lurk at every turn.
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW is written by Kate Trefry, directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, set design by Miriam Buether, costume design by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Paul Arditti, original music composition, orchestration, arrangements and supervision by D.J. Walde, illusions design and visual effects by Jamie Harrison & Chris Fisher, video design and visual effects by 59 Studio, choreography by Coral Messam, movement direction by Lynne Page, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, technical director is Gary Beestone for Gary Beestone Associates, props supervision by Mary Halliday, dialect by William Conacher, casting by Jessica Ronane Casting CDG and international casting consultancy by Jim Carnahan.
Jack Christou plays Henry Creel. His theatre credits include Matilda the Musical (RSC The Other Place). His television credits include Chloe, Pandemonium and Penny on M.A.R.S; and for film, Last Train to Christmas.
Stewart Clarke plays Dr Brenner. His theatre credits include Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre), Mandela (Young Vic), Cabaret (Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre), Be More Chill (Shaftesbury Theatre, The Other Palace), Fiddler on the Roof (Menier Chocolate Factory, Playhouse Theatre), The Rink (Southwark Playhouse), Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), A Streetcar Named Desire (Curve, Leicester), Cool Rider Live, Godspell in Concert (Lyric Theatre), The Return of The Soldier (Hope Mill Theatre) and Ghost The Musical (UK tour). His television credits include Moonstone; and for film, Easy Virtue.
Avril Maponga plays Patty Newby. She is a recent graduate of Rose Bruford College, her theatre credits include Witness for the Prosecution (London County Hall). For film, her credits include Sightline.
Max Potter plays Bob Newby. His theatre credits include A Monster Calls (Barn Theatre), I Love to Fly (Little Angel Theatre), The Lodger (Lion and Unicorn Theatre) and Scissors (Greenwich Theatre).
Adam Wadsworth plays James Hopper Jr. His theatre credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor, All’s Well That Ends Well, Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Palace Theatre) and Patterns (Curve, Leicester). His television credits include Lewis, Marple and My Phone Genie.
Edie Wright plays Joyce Maldonado. She is a recent graduate of Guildford School of Acting and made her professional stage debut in Stranger Things: The First Shadow as Karen Childress in the 2024/25 cast.
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW
LISTINGS
Phoenix Theatre
Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0JP
For further ticket information, performance schedule, full creative team and cast biographies,
please visit strangerthingsonstage.com and the official social channels:
Instagram.com/STOnStage
Tiktok.com/STOnStage
Facebook.com/STOnStage
Twitter.com/STOnStage