Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a mesmerising, technical masterpiece that highlights the very magic of theatre; its ability to take you to strange(r) new worlds and immerse you wholeheartedly. Taking you back to 1959 Hawkins, Stranger Things: The First Shadow serves as a prequel to the Netflix original series, and follows Hopper, Bob, Joyce, and many other familiar faces, as a young Henry Creel moves into town. Avoiding spoilers, what follows is both familiar and shocking to fans of the show, and perhaps, in looking at the past, could we find the answers for the future of Stranger Things?

The show itself runs for just over three hours, including interval, and delves fully into the world of Stranger Things, complete with Opening Sequence and Title Cards leaving the audience feeling like part of the largest Stranger Things watch party in the West-End. Directed by Stephen Daldry, known for Billy Elliot, and with an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Kate Trefry, the show is a spectacular rollercoaster ride from start to finish, as the typical high school experience is exacerbated by the monstrosity under the mundane. Daldry's directing is tight, and, together with the versatile set work of Miriam Buether, and the sharp lighting of Jon Clark, to name just a few of the incredible effects and design team, the show flows from dominating set pieces to solo dreamscapes with ease, highlighting the breadth of Hawkins with sharp simplicity.

Of course, we would be remiss to not mention the wonderful casting work by Jessica Ronane CDG, as Isabella Pappas, Christopher Buckley, Oscar Lloyd, and Patrick Vaill leave audiences feeling their characters have stepped back through time, from screen to stage, and there are some nice little callbacks that eagle eyed fans will be sure to pick up on. Louis McCartney, making his professional stage debut, is both chilling and endearing as Henry Creel, a young man wrestling with his past as it rapidly catches up to him, and McCartney's work is nothing short of intense and visceral, adding a layer of tragedy to this previously simple monster story.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a technological marvel and a testament to the magic of theatre. A spectacle that is still enjoyable if you're not an avid fan of the series, it is very much of the Stranger Things universe, so if you don't like the feel of the Netflix series, particularly the last season, there are some scenes that might be tough to watch. If you're anxiously anticipating the next sojourn into the upside down, or simply looking for an phenomenal night at the theatre, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre until 25 August 2024, with tickets available here.

Something's rotten in Hawkins, and we can't wait to return.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Jack Francis