This week has been eventful for me as I was invited to review the award-winning Off-Broadway hit Stranger Sings at The Vaults in London. In case the title didn’t give it away, this show is a musical parody of the Netflix series Stranger Things and I must confess something: I’ve only seen up to season two. Will that matter though? Let’s dive underground into the Upside Down and I’ll share my thoughts on it!
This show was gifted. All views and opinions are my own.
Stranger Sings
Cast
- Joyce Byers/Will Byers: Holly Sumpton
- Jim Hopper: Howard Jenkins
- Eleven/Nancy Wheeler: Anna Amelia
- Barb: Georgia McElwee
- Dustin: William Shakelton
- Mike Wheeler: Joseph Riley
- Lucas Sinclair/Demagorgen/Erica: Finton Flynn
- Steve Harrington/Jonathan Byers/Dr Brenner: Jonty Peach
Venue: The Vaults
Rating: ★★★★
What is Stranger Sings About?
Stranger Sings follows the not-so-strange-but-very-strange goings-on in the small town of Hawkins, Illinois. After the disappearance of the puppet-like Will Byers, his mother Joyce, his friends and a telekinetic girl named Jane – I mean Eleven go on a wild adventure with some detours that may not be plot relevant. Along the way they’ll have to face an angry Barb, a dancing Demagorgan, crazy scientists and several Winona Ryder characters.
What did I think of Stranger Sings?
Stranger Things is already an affectionate homage to the 80’s horror genre, so it makes sense by now that a parody would come along. While this show is broadly a satire of season one, it still weaves in some nice in-jokes for the fans including throwaway lines referencing the infamous Sister episode, a nod to Kate Bush and Steve’s Scoops Ahoy uniform making a funny appearance. As for anybody expecting #JusticeForBarb moments, you’ll be more than satisfied in a hilarious act two number that I dare not spoil!
Irreverent from start to finish, Stranger Sings pokes fun at the more ridiculous aspects of the TV series with a massive dose of 80’s nostalgia and all of its questionable sexual politics from the lack of LGBTQ+ representation to Jonathan Byers’ voyeuristic photography hobby. Ellis Kerkhoven’s fast paced direction and Justin Williams’ surprisingly faithful set design help this as the show transports you into the familiar world of the Byers’ living room, scrawled letters, Christmas lights and all.
What are the songs like?
Jonathan Hague’s catchy musical numbers are hilarious! Instead of just sticking to a synth-heavy 80’s sound, he also leaves wiggle room for musical theatre inspired songs and milks them for what they’re worth. With references including Dear Evan Hansen, The Muppets and Gypsy, they are equal parts funny and deep as a season’s worth of character arcs are squeezed into a single number without feeling cramped. Of course that’s not when they’re interrupted at emotionally inconvenient moments!
What was the cast like in Stranger Sings?
This cast is phenomenal, each one elevating their material with such gusto that you’d almost believe they were their Stranger Things equivalents. Holly Sumpton as both puppet Will and Joyce brings the right balance of nervousness and brash to both roles, especially during one standout number all about Winona Ryder’s 80’s and 90’s movies to prove she isn’t crazy about talking to her son through Christmas lights. Howard Jenkins’ Jim Hopper is perfect as Joyce’s straight man, not so subtly leaning into the fandom’s ship teasing while occasionally breaking into an emotionally dramatic Dear Evan Hansen song that’s cut off (funny in hindsight as I saw David Harbour himself in Mad House earlier this year).
The main quartet (Mike, Dustin, Lucas & Eleven) are also hilarious, capturing the Party’s sense of adventure to such an extreme that you can’t help but laugh as you watch them fight with lightsabers, fly E.T style and do a final dance off. Jonty Peach in the dual role of Steve and Jonathan was equal parts genius and hysterical, making you question the former’s sudden character development of being nice to attract girls and why Nancy was attracted to the latter. However, my standout was easily Georgia McEltree, who I can see having a big career ahead as her comedic chops and powerhouse voice made the eleven o’clock number a riot.
What are my overall thoughts?
Stranger Sings is a must-watch for every Stranger Things fan and 80’s child wanting a more funnier trip down memory lane. I had such a fun time at The Vaults, so if you’re in the mood for something that’s less traditional than your typical West End show with your friends, then I say check it out as soon as you can.
Stranger Sings runs at The Vault until January 15th 2023. Get your tickets here.
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