Stranger Things Stage Play Reveals Cast And Opening Date

The Stranger Things stage show, The First Shadow, has an official premiere date in London's West End and the cast has been revealed who will play a young Jim Hopper, Joyce Byers nee Maldonado, and Bob Newby. The story of the play explores the lives of teenaged versions of the characters fans have gotten to know for close to a decade and the mysteries that brought them together.

The show is written by Kate Telfry and directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin. Telfry, already an established writer and executive producer for the TV series, wrote the play based on a story by the Duffer brothers, Jack Thorne, and Telfry herself. Set in Hawkins in 1959, the production will start previews on November 17 at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End, with an opening date set for December 14.

"It's a joy to discover the world of Stranger Things: The First Shadow with our ferociously talented cast and watch the alchemy amongst our entire company grow as we together explore this new play," Daldry and Martin said in a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter). "They're an extraordinarily gifted group of actors, and we can’t wait to share this origin story with audiences."

The First Shadow features Oscar Lloyd as Hopper, Isabella Pappas as Joyce, and Christopher Buckley as Bob Newby. Playing the mysterious Creel family; Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, Mike Jibson as Victor Creel, and Tony award winner Lauren Ward as Virginia.

The ensemble also includes Kemi Awoderu, Chase Brown, Ammar Duffus, Gilles Geary, Florence Guy, Max Harwood, Matthew Pidgeon, Calum Ross, Maisie Norma Seaton, Tricia Adele-Turner, Lauren Arney, Reya-Nyomi Brown, Patricia Castro, Lydia Fraser, Isaac Gryn, Mark Hammersley, Tom Peters, Kingdom Sibanda, Tiana Simone, Danny Sykes and Meesha Turner in yet to be named roles.

"The cast of Stranger Things: The First Shadow is nothing short of phenomenal," said Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer. "These actors brilliantly explore the early days of many fan favorites--including Hopper, Joyce, Bob, Henry, and Dr. Brenner--while also bringing new characters to vivid life. We couldn't be more thrilled and can't wait for you to meet them all live on stage. See you in London, nerds!"

There is no announcement yet if the show will eventually expand overseas to the United States, but should the show do well, it's possible The First Shadow could be cast over Broadway down the line.