I honestly can’t decide whether today will go down as a treat, or whether I’ll remember it as a bit of a nightmare. For the first time in years I went to the theatre: it was John’s idea to go and watch a matinee performance of Stranger Things The First Shadow at the Phoenix theatre in Soho. To be honest I had never heard of it, but as ever I was eager to check out something new.

What I found myself watching this afternoon was unlike anything I had experienced before; for one it certainly wasn’t like my regular trip to the cinema. Of course I have watched plenty of plays, but this isn’t was darkness and more edgy. It’s essentially a horror story set in 1950s America, but it was performed in such a way that it made my heart pound in my chest repeatedly and scream out loud more than once. If I’m being honest, I must admit it made me feel rather uncomfortable.

On the other hand, from a technical perspective, it was masterful: the stagecraft reminded me how much I need to go to the theatre more often. It combined elements of film and live action seamlessly. Watching the actors weave their way across the stage was awe inspiring, like watching ballet dancers performing some magnificently intricate dance. I now intend to look up both the writer and director to see what else they have done.

I won’t go into any more detail because I won’t do it justice, but if you ever have chance to watch Stranger Things I would urge you to do so. It is edgy and suspenseful, and to be honest dragged a bit in places, but it is well worth an afternoon out.