Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Set in Hawkins, 1959, before the events of Stranger Things -- a new stage prequel exploring the origins of Henry Creel and the shadows of the past. Recommended 12+. Running time approx. 3 hours including interval.

Set in Hawkins in 1959, the stage prequel follows young Jim Hopper, Bob Newby’s sister Joyce, and new arrival Henry Creel as the Creel family’s hoped-for fresh start is unsettled by the past. The official Phoenix page describes the work as a story in the Stranger Things world and mythology. It recommends ages 12+, excludes under-fives, requires under-16s to attend with an adult, and lists gunfire audio, loud noises and explosions, haze and smoke, flashing lights and strobe, strong language, and depictions of mental-health conditions and disorders. Its displayed date span is the bare, unlabelled “Fri 17 Nov 2023 - Sun 27 Dec 2026”; the page does not say whether that latter date is a final performance or booking horizon.