“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is shaping up to replicate the high stakes of the Netflix drama, as demonstrated by photos released from rehearsals of the West End stage play.
Among the first looks are images of Henry Creel and Dr. Brenner (played by Louis McCartney and Patrick Vaill) in an intense face-to-face standoff and Lonnie Byers sitting with and holding Joyce Maldonado (played by Chase Brown and Isabella Pappas), as well as of the larger company and “Stranger Things” creators Ross and Matt Duffer.
Additionally, the production has set a discounted ticket initiative titled “Shadow Seats” in partnership with TodayTix. For each performance of the show’s run, there will be 11 pairs of tickets available for £19.59 per seat, with some located in the front row of the stalls. Shadow seats will not be visible on the main booking page, instead appearing for sale via the lottery on the TodayTix app every Friday beginning on Nov. 3. The first winners will be drawn on Nov. 6 for preview performances, which begin on Nov. 17.
“We are delighted to launch our Shadow Seats initiative today for ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow,'” said producer Sonia Friedman. “Offering accessibly priced tickets available to all, in great locations in the house to every performance, with the hope that theatre lovers alongside new audiences can discover the joy and thrill of live theatre is something we are extremely passionate about.”
Set in Hawkins, Ind. in 1959, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” begins as a young Jim Hopper’s (Oscar Lloyd) car won’t start, Bob Newby’s (Christopher Buckley) sister (Ella Karuna Williams) won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.
Kate Trefry wrote the play based on an original story co-written with Ross and Matt Duffer and Jack Thorne. Stephen Daldry directs with co-direction by Justin Martin. The Duffers serve as creative producers and 21 Laps Entertainment associate produces.
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” will open at the Phoenix Theater in London’s West End.
See first look photos above and below.
