“The stage and the screen will never be substitutes but Stranger Things: The First Shadow never feels limited by the medium. It leans into the theatricality hammering the audience with slick illusions and visually stunning trickery applied impasto. No expense is spared but that is hardly surprising.”
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“This astonishing show turns normal expectations of theatre upside down. Director Stephen Daldry has taken the Duffer Brothers’ Eighties-set Netflix sci-fi hit and magicked it into a spectacular, multimedia prequel, full of enough thrills, scares and knowing nods to please fans and the uninitiated in equal measure.”
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“ ‘The First Shadow’ suffers from dramatic bloat and tonal inconsistency. The biggest frustration with it is the sense that it might have been show of the year with 30 minutes of really ruthless cuts...It’s not perfect, but it’s as close to the Upside Down as you’re going to get without having your head bitten off by a demogorgon.”
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“Netflix makes its stage debut in spectacular fashion with this keenly anticipated – and, I can happily reveal, totally awe-inspiring – theatrical version of the streamer’s hit sci-fi series ‘Stranger Things.’ Crucially, it’s a must-see not just for superfans, but for anyone excited by boundary-pushing theatre that harnesses jaw-dropping special effects while telling a very relatable human story.”
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“While you can absolutely enjoy this as a stand-alone play, it’s the way it’s been so cleverly intertwined with the TV series that makes it a really compelling piece of theatre, you could hear audible gasps around the theatre as secrets were revealed and loose ends tied up. Visually, it’s stunning in every possible way and undoubtedly Stranger Things: The First Shadow sets a new standard for what we can expect from theatre.”
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“Despite a slightly meandering second act, everything here is ready to swallow you up faster than a demogorgon...Coming out of the Phoenix – exhausted, exhilerated – I had a strong desire to go back and watch the original TV show. The First Shadow is doing exactly what Netflix wants it to.”
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"Without a doubt, this is one of the most major and quality productions of the year, and while many of the occurrences in the story may seem strange, its triumphant success won’t be the strangest thing."
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"In this intensely cinematic and technically stunning show, a spirited ensemble breathes ambitious life into a villain origin story that feels at once epic and intimate – and with no shortage of wow factors."
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