McCartney nails it all with one of the most breathtaking debut performances in the West End.
Its an instinct that has served Daldry well.
HeknewJamie Bell was right to play Billy Elliot in the movie.
Louis McCartney as Henry Creel in ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’Manuel Harlan/Netflix/Baz Bamigboye
Daldry smiles and tells me that he considers McCartney a proper theatre animal.
He shakes his head and gives a nod of approval: Hes a proper star with proper star power.
This is all true.Breaking Bazhas a a simple method for determining star power on a stage.
Louis McCartney, in white, onstage with ‘Stranger Things’ castmates (Baz Bamigboye/Deadline)
Its to do with heat.
I knew little aboutStranger Thingsbefore I saw an early preview at the Phoenix Theatre.
I knew a little about Henry Creel, but I wasnt exactly a know-all fan.
When McCartney strolled on stage, all sweetness and light, one couldnt help but pay attention.
He seemed such a kindly soul.
An hour later, I was practically hiding under my seat.
Returning to see the show a week later, McCartney was even better.
Daldry makes a weird noise when I raise this.
There are people floating around Louis all the time, he sighs.
Right now were just lucky to have him until November.
Thats the deal he has a one-year contract.
And come November, hes going to be off in a second because everybodys offering him almost everything.
Look, this is what happens, he adds.
Hes a proper discovery.
Hell fly the coop and become a superstar in a second.
Hes got real power.
He holds the house like Ive never seen a house held.
Hes lovely with the other actors, and hes at the center of the company.
Hes got star power.
And at the crux of Henry; he just wants to do the right thing.
And then it all went south.
Why do they love him so much, I wondered?
Its just because theres a weird fascination around things that scare you.
Theres a backbone to him that he doesnt let you see.
And thats just what were talking about.
I was a fan ofStranger Thingsbefore this, and I loved Henry Creel.
McCartneys able to summon up the same kind of menacing presence.
Does playing Creel ever give the actor nightmares?
And that has been a staple of his whole process, which is to detach myself from the work.
And especially with this character, I just think of it as a game.
Its an absolute playground when you step on that stage with Patrick Vaill as Dr. Brenner.
We all go to the bathroom, she told me then, matter of factly.
Its a great leveler.
McCartney remembers getting this rush of imposter syndrome when he was studying acting at university in Dublin.
I had no idea what I was doing.
And then the director of his course said to McCartney, My poo smells too.
He laughs, adding, And that was what actually broke the ice.
Stranger Things: The First Shadowis epic but also so intimate.
He says thats down to Daldry and his creative team.
The thing I love about Stephen is he lets you breathe.
This guy has done so much stuff.
He is a creative God.
And he has all the power in the world.
And he says to me, What do you want to do next?
Where do you want to go now in the staging?
And thats sometimes how wed work out scenes.
And hed just be like, Ill let you have free rein.
Obviously, if I f*ck up, hell say no.
In the West End theres chatter aboutStranger Thingsheading for Broadway, possibly in 2025.
Broadway is an exciting conversation, McCartney tells me.
Obviously everybodys talking about it, and Id be more than chuffed to do it.
But the thing is, the future holds a million possibilities.
And theres some that I cant decide on.
Theres things that the third party will decide.
And Im just kind of open to everything.
Also, storylines might well be connected to the forthcomingStranger Thingsspinoffs.
All I do know is that weve not seen the last of the town of Hawkins onstage.
MoreStranger Thingsare coming … run and hide.
