Stranger Things: The First Shadow – Plot, Venues, Tickets & Cast

Few shows spark as much curiosity as Netflix’s *Stranger Things*, and now the story has made an unexpected leap: live theatre. Since December 2023, fans have been traveling to London’s Phoenix Theatre — and more recently to Broadway’s Marquis Theatre — to see *Stranger Things: The First Shadow*, a stage prequel set in 1959 Hawkins.

Runtime (including intermission): 2 hours 45 minutes ·
London premiere: December 2023 ·
Broadway previews began: March 2025 ·
Venues: Phoenix Theatre, London; Marquis Theatre, New York

The show’s key details at a glance — one pattern: the stage prequel exists in two major cities with slightly different ticketing, but the core creative team and 1959 Hawkins setting are identical.

What is the story of The First Shadow in Stranger Things?

Setting and time period

• The play is set in 1959 Hawkins, years before the series began (New York Theatre Guide (NYC theatre resource)).
• It follows young Henry Creel arriving in town with his family and the consequences that follow.
• The 1959 setting places the story thirty years before the main plot of Stranger Things.

Henry Creel’s arrival and the origins of Hawkins’ darkness

New student Henry Creel — later known to series fans as Vecna — brings a darkness that foreshadows the Upside Down. The plot centers on how his arrival and the ripples it creates affect his family and the town. The Duffer Brothers said they chose theatre “to explore the origins of Hawkins’ darkest evil” (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade journal)).

Connections to the Netflix series

The play was written by Kate Trefry from a story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry herself (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)). Playwright Kate Trefry described the intention: “We wanted to tell a standalone story that also enriches the series” (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade journal)).

The implication: For audiences, the play rewards series knowledge without penalizing new viewers — a tricky balance that the creative team appears to have pulled off.

Where can I watch The First Shadow play Stranger Things?

Current locations: London and Broadway

• Now playing at the Phoenix Theatre in London and the Marquis Theatre on Broadway (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade journal)).
• The London run began 14 December 2023; Broadway previews started 28 March 2025.
• Broadway tickets were reported available through September 2026 in a later update (New York Theatre Guide (NYC theatre resource)).

How to buy tickets

• Tickets available via official websites uk.strangerthingsonstage.com and broadway.strangerthingsonstage.com.
• Broadway rush tickets reported at $40, sold same-day at the box office (The New York Times (leading US newspaper)).
• Broadway online lottery reported at $45 per ticket, limited to two per entry (The New York Times (leading US newspaper)).
• London tickets listed from £90.00 (Official London Theatre (UK theatre authority)).

Digital or recorded versions (not available)

• No streaming or recorded release has been announced.
• Netflix has not announced any plans to release a recording.
• The Duffer Brothers have reportedly expressed interest in a filmed version, but nothing is confirmed.

What this means: For anyone who can’t travel to London or New York, the play is effectively inaccessible unless a future tour or recording materializes — and neither has been officially announced.

Will Stranger Things: The First Shadow be on Netflix?

Official statements from Netflix and the production

As of now, the play is exclusively staged and not available on Netflix. The streaming giant has not announced any plans to release a recording.

Possibility of a future filmed version

The Duffer Brothers have expressed interest in a filmed version, but no production has been confirmed. The play’s creative team has not indicated any imminent plans to shoot a pro-shot recording for digital distribution.

Exclusivity of live theatre

The production’s current model hinges on live performance as the exclusive medium. This shapes the audience experience: ticket holders must commit to a specific date, time, and location. The trade-off is that the staging and effects — widely praised by critics — lose impact outside a theatre setting.

How long is Stranger Things: The First Shadow?

Total runtime and intermission

• Broadway running time: 2 hours 45 minutes including one 15-minute intermission (TodayTix (ticketing platform)).
• The West End running time is listed as 3 hours including one interval (London Theatre (UK theatre guide)).
• The discrepancy suggests either a slightly different pace in each production or a rounding difference in how sources list it.

Comparison to typical Broadway plays

At roughly 2 hours 45 minutes, the play is longer than the average Broadway drama (typically 2-2.5 hours) but comparable to epic productions like *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*. The 15-minute intermission is standard for a production of this length.

Recommended arrival time

• Doors open 30 minutes before curtain.
• Latecomers may not be seated until intermission.
• Arriving at least 20 minutes before curtain is advised to clear bag checks and find seats.

Why this matters: At nearly three hours, the play demands the same time commitment as a feature film with intermission — a relatively modest ask for a major theatrical event.

Who is in the cast of Stranger Things: The First Shadow?

Principal cast for London and Broadway productions

Character breakdown with the notable actors and their roles: the role of Henry Creel on Broadway has been played by Louis McCartney in one major casting report (New York Theatre Guide (NYC theatre resource)), while another listing from ticketing platform TodayTix identified Victor de Paula Rocha in the same role (TodayTix (ticketing platform)), indicating casting changes or replacements during the ongoing run.

• Rosie Benton as Virginia Creel (Broadway.com (official Broadway listings)).
• Juan Carlos as Bob Newby (Broadway.com (official Broadway listings)).
• Shea Grant as Joyce Maldonado (TodayTix (ticketing platform)).
• Gabrielle Nevaeh as Patty Newby (TodayTix (ticketing platform)).
• Burke Swanson as James Hopper Jr. (Decider (NY Post entertainment site)).

Original vs. replacement cast

As with any long-running production, cast changes are expected over time. The London and Broadway casts differ, and within each venue, actors rotate. The official theatre websites list current cast at the time of booking.

The pattern: Casting flexibility is standard for long runs, but for fans tracking a specific actor’s performance, checking the official site before booking is essential.

Timeline: Key dates for Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• The play is currently running in London and on Broadway.
• The plot revolves around Henry Creel’s arrival in Hawkins (New York Theatre Guide (NYC theatre resource)).
• Runtime and ticket prices are published on official sites.
• Broadway rush tickets at $40, lottery at $45 (The New York Times (leading US newspaper)).
• London tickets from £90 (Official London Theatre (UK theatre authority)).

What’s unclear

• Whether the play will be filmed for Netflix.
• Future tour plans to other cities or countries.
• Exact cast replacements for ongoing runs.

“Theatre felt like the perfect medium to explore the origins of Hawkins’ darkest evil.”

— Matt and Ross Duffer, creators (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade journal))

“The First Shadow is a spectacular theatrical event that captures the spirit of the show.”

— Critic, The Guardian

“We wanted to tell a standalone story that also enriches the series.”

— Kate Trefry, playwright (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade journal))

Summary

Stranger Things: The First Shadow successfully bridges the gap between fan service and standalone theatrical experience, but the exclusive live format creates a fundamental access problem. For audiences in London or New York, the choice is between a £90 West End night or a $40 rush ticket gamble on Broadway — both offering a near-three-hour plunge into 1959 Hawkins. For everyone else, the decision is more costly: book a trip, or wait for a streaming release that may never come.

For those planning to see the show, detailed ticket and cast information is available from the official West End site.

Frequently asked questions