Stranger Things: The First Shadow: Book Tickets Now

See Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre on Charing Cross Road, an official Netflix prequel that has run in the West End since December 2023.

Stranger Things : The First Shadow

Highlights

Experience an enthralling new play that delves back to the beginning of the Stranger Things saga.

Discover the early stories of beloved characters such as Joyce, Hopper, and Henry Creel in Hawkins.

Authored by Kate Trefry with the original narrative from the Duffer Brothers, creators of the renowned Netflix series.

Enjoy a production crafted by an award-winning team that elevates theatrical storytelling.

Be part of the action at the iconic Phoenix Theatre, situated in London’s West End.

Good to Know About Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Running time is about 3 hours: That includes a 20-minute interval.

Recommended for ages 12 and over: Children under 5 are not admitted, and under-16s must be seated next to a ticket-holding adult.

Published content notes: strobe lighting, haze and smoke effects, loud explosions and gunfire audio, strong language, and depictions of mental health conditions: These are the sensory and content notes published by the show’s own ticketing partner.

Photo ID may be requested at the door: The lead booker must attend with their party, and ID may be checked against the name on the digital tickets.

About Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Cast performing a scene from Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre

Written by Kate Trefry, from an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Kate Trefry, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is an official, canon prequel to the Netflix series. Set in Hawkins, Indiana in 1959, it follows young Jim Hopper, Bob Newby and Joyce Maldonado as the arrival of new student Henry Creel disrupts the town, revealing the origins of the character who becomes Vecna.

The production is directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, with illusions and visual effects designed by Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher.

Interesting Facts About Stranger Things: The First Shadow

The production won the 2024 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play, the Noël Coward Award.

The play is treated as canon by its creators: the Duffer Brothers were closely involved as creative producers, and its events sit within the television series' established mythology.

The story is set in 1959, placing it well before the television series' first season, which begins in 1983.

The stage illusions were designed by professional illusion designers Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, working as co-designers.

The West End production previewed from 17 November 2023 and opened on 14 December 2023 at the Phoenix Theatre.

A Broadway transfer opened at the Marquis Theatre and went on to win 4 Tony Awards in 2025, including a Special Tony Award for Illusions and Technical Effects.

The production features younger versions of characters familiar from the television series, including teenage versions of Jim Hopper, Joyce Maldonado and Bob Newby.

Netflix produced a documentary about the making of the stage production, titled Behind the Curtain.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow - Highlights in Pictures

Scene from Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre

Cast members in costume during Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Stage illusion effect from Stranger Things: The First Shadow

A scene set in Hawkins, Indiana from Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Phoenix Theatre

Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0JP, with entrances on both Phoenix Street and Charing Cross Road

Around 1,028 seats, per the theatre's own site

Designed by architects Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, Bertie Crewe and Cecil Massey, with an Italianate interior by Theodore Komisarjevsky; the building is Grade II listed

Opened on 24 September 1930 with the world premiere of Noël Coward's Private Lives

Getting There

By Tube
By Bus
By Car

By Tube

Tottenham Court Road station, about a 2-minute walk, connects to the Central, Northern and Elizabeth lines.

Leicester Square station, around a 4-minute walk, is served by the Piccadilly line, and Covent Garden station, about 7 minutes away, is also on the Piccadilly line.
Charing Cross is the nearest National Rail and Underground interchange, about 12 minutes on foot or two stops by Northern line.

Phoenix Theatre - Facilities and Accessibility

Interior view of the Phoenix Theatre auditorium

The Phoenix Theatre's three-tiered Italianate auditorium has no public lift to the Stalls or Grand Circle; only the Dress Circle is reachable step-free. Bars and merchandise counters are on all seating levels, serving the standard 20-minute interval built into the running time.

A lift at the Charing Cross Road entrance reaches Row K at the rear of the Dress Circle; the older Flitcroft Street entrance also gives step-free access to Row A of the Dress Circle, via narrower corridors.
Wheelchair spaces are located in Dress Circle Row K (K1-2, K13-14, K15-16, K27-28), with companion seats alongside; maximum wheelchair size accommodated is 90cm wide by 140cm long, up to 400kg.
A Sennheiser Mobile Connect hearing assistance system covers the auditorium, usable with a personal device or a borrowed headset.
Accessible toilets are available at the Charing Cross Road entrance, at the rear of the Dress Circle, and via the Royal Room on the Dress Circle level.

FAQs about Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre

What is Stranger Things: The First Shadow about?

An official, canon prequel to the Netflix series, set in Hawkins, Indiana in 1959. It follows young Jim Hopper, Bob Newby and Joyce Maldonado as the arrival of new student Henry Creel reveals the origins of the character who becomes Vecna.

How long does the show run?

About 3 hours, including a 20-minute interval.

What age is the show recommended for?

Recommended for ages 12 and over. Children under 5 are not admitted, and under-16s must be seated next to a ticket-holding adult.

Are there content warnings?

The show's own ticketing partner publishes notes for strobe lighting, haze and smoke effects, loud explosions and gunfire audio, strong language, and depictions of mental health conditions.

Did the show win any awards?

It won the 2024 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play. Its Broadway transfer went on to win 4 Tony Awards in 2025, including a Special Tony Award for Illusions and Technical Effects.

Why might I need photo ID at the theatre?

The lead booker must attend with their party, and photo ID may be checked against the name on the digital tickets.

Is the Phoenix Theatre wheelchair accessible?

A lift at the Charing Cross Road entrance reaches wheelchair spaces in Dress Circle Row K; the Stalls and Grand Circle are not step-free. An alternative step-free route to the Dress Circle also exists via Flitcroft Street.

Is hearing assistance available?

Yes, a Sennheiser Mobile Connect system covers the auditorium.

What is the nearest tube station to the Phoenix Theatre?

Tottenham Court Road, about a 2-minute walk, served by the Central, Northern and Elizabeth lines.

Which bus routes serve the theatre?

Routes 14, 19, 22B, 24, 29, 38 and 176 stop nearby, close to Covent Garden.

Is there parking near the theatre?

Nearby car parks include Q-Park Chinatown on Newport Place, NCP on Brewer Street, and Urban Parking on Shelton Street.

Is Stranger Things: The First Shadow connected to the TV series?

Yes. It is an official prequel developed with close involvement from the Duffer Brothers, and its events are treated as canon within the television series' story.