At just 24, Louis Healy is electrifying audiences as Henry Creel in the West End’s Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre. Stepping into the role of the troubled teen who becomes the sinister Vecna, Healy delivers a chilling yet heartfelt performance in this Olivier Award-winning prequel to Netflix’s hit series. Hailing from a showbiz family—son of actors Tim Healy and Denise Welch, and brother to The 1975’s Matty Healy—Louis is carving his own path, blending vulnerability and menace in a blockbuster show that’s extended its run to April 2025.
Set in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, the play explores Henry Creel’s origins as a shy outsider with telekinetic powers. Healy’s portrayal captures a boy yearning for normalcy—dreaming of prom and love—while grappling with dark impulses. “I wanted the audience to root for him, even as he does terrible things,” Healy says, describing how he found the character’s balance after weeks of rehearsals. Inspired by Jamie Campbell Bower’s TV Vecna but infusing his own spin, Healy’s performance, part awkward teen, part horror icon, has drawn raves for its precision amid jaw-dropping special effects, from exploding lights to mind-bending illusions.
Healy’s journey to the West End wasn’t straightforward. Growing up in Manchester, he watched Matty’s band rehearse in their garage and tagged along to his parents’ sets. His stage debut came in The Full Monty UK tour, followed by TV roles in Hotel Portofino, Emmerdale, and The Pact. Landing Henry Creel felt like a long shot after seeing predecessor Louis McCartney’s award-nominated turn, but Healy’s raw connection to the character won over director Stephen Daldry. Matty, a frequent audience member, has grilled him on the show’s tech wizardry, joking about “stealing” ideas for The 1975’s tours. Louis, with a playful jab, relishes his moment: “I’ve been backstage at your shows, Matty. Now it’s my time.”
The production, crafted by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Kate Trefry, blends 1950s paranoia with sci-fi thrills, featuring young versions of Joyce Byers, Jim Hopper, and Bob Newby. Its Broadway transfer, with McCartney reprising Creel, begins previews in March 2025, but Healy’s London run is a must-see. Tickets start at £32 for the three-hour spectacle, recommended for ages 12+. Catch Healy’s star-making turn before the Upside Down calls him away!
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