We recently took our Year 10 and 11 GCSE Drama students on an educational trip to see the highly anticipated production, Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Organized by Mr. Deamer, the Head of Drama, the trip was open to all GCSE Drama students as part of their preparation for the ‘Live Theatre’ section of their upcoming exam.

The excursion was a resounding success, with students thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to visit the theatre, explore London, and, of course, experience the show itself. The journey, taken by coach, allowed everyone to take in the sights of some iconic London landmarks. Upon arriving at the Phoenix Theatre, we attended the matinee performance of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The students were exemplary in their behaviour, embodying the values of our schools ethos and making a positive impression on all.

‘Stranger Things - The first Shadow’ is the prequel to the Netflix series. The performance follows a troubled young boy, Henry Creel – played by Louis Healy – after he seeks a fresh start in the small town of Hawkins in 1959. In the whirlwind of typical adolescent life, a dangerous force invades the town when pets begin to mysteriously disappear. Henry’s powers continue to grow, corrupt his humanity, and tear the community apart. The performance takes form in a naturalistic style with elements of immersive theatre, with a large number of special effects.  

The students were so immersed into a world where stranger things happen; you could hear a pin drop. Upon returning to Trinity the students had to identify key moments in which they could use in their written exam. The excitement and engagement from all students was a pleasure to see. This experience will stay with the pupils for a long time to come, as well as having a positive impact on their learning and writing within their exams. We would like to thank both students and staff alike for such an amazing trip!”