As an early birthday treat, we went to watch the first matinee of ‘Stranger Things - The First Shadow’ during the first weekend of December at The Phoenix Theatre, London.
This is the first show seen by show producer Sonia Friedman with the original story by The Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Kate Derry. The Director of the performance was Stephen Daldry who has previously directed Billy Elliot and The Crown.
’Stranger Things The First Shadow‘ was a mega three hour episode of the streaming series with cinematic intercuts performed as engaging theatre. The audience was drawn in from the moment we heard the title theme song.
With the official opening of the performance set for the 14th of December 2023, ‘The C Word’ blog will shorten the discussion of the show and its technical architecture. But there are so many cinematic elements to the performance to note; from the stage floor, the lighting, the sound. The performance intercuts were a showcase of engaging technique, cinematic lighting effects, phenomenal audio and snappy script. Each act was memorable with scenes referencing the alleged Philadelphia Experiment (1943) in parallel to fantasy mythology familiar in Stranger Things. There is something to learn in each act in stage and cinematic technique.
The actors of ‘The Last Shadow’ stage had big shoes to fill following the television series performances. So it was outstanding watching the stage actors perform the younger school student characters from the streaming series. We were able to breathe a sigh of relief that post Covid, our future youth are seen participating in great artistic careers outside of the gaming and online social media community.
A love poem to the past is subtle; a nod to vinyl covers for the performance program to stage costume design and prop design. Spotting such nuggets and treasures throughout the performance is thoroughly enjoyable.
’The First Shadow’ story references the ’fantasy horror’ genre. This is probably why culturally Stranger Things is loved and considered such an iconic cultural phenomenon with a strong age diverse following. To cite a family example, my mother who is approaching her 70’s asked what ‘Stranger Things’ is about. Using a flat piece of paper as a prop, I could explain that a Boy called Will (living in a small town called Hawkins) goes missing in the Upside Down. The premise [of the first series] is to find him and bring him back to our world and mend the tear/opening in between the two worlds. She understood in a snap and now wants to watch the last four series, as do my children age under eleven! Mum even suggested an introduction for the kids to watch the original black and white 1960’s tv series ‘The Adams family’ with her favourite character apparently Herman alongside his family.
And thus, we plan another theatre trip in the near future to ‘Stranger Things - The First Shadow’ with children. I can officially say we think ’The First Shadow’ is sensational and possibly one of the best modern stage performances we have seen to date. And like the relationship of my mother with tv icon Herman, that everyone seems to love a good monster.
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