If you enjoy musical theatre and you’re also a fan of Netflix’s 1980s-set sci-fi series Stranger Things, you’ll love Stranger Sings, the smash-hit parody of the show.

Following on from its highly acclaimed off-Broadway success and a short sell-out stay in London, the production last night kicked off its three-day visit to the Wolverhampton Grand.

In the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, a shady laboratory - which should be performing scientific research for the US Department of Energy - is secretly experimenting with the paranormal and supernatural. These experiments, sometimes with human test subjects, have cracked open a portal to an alternate dimension called the Upside-Down.

When 12-year-old Will Byers disappears, his best friends, Mike (Elliott Wooster), Dustin (William Shackleton) and Lucas (Jessie Jae Davis), set out to save him from the Upside-Down’s terrifying inter-dimensional monsters. Dubbed Demogorgons by the boys, after the fictional foes from their Dungeon & Dragons campaign, the fearsome beasts are seeping out of the supernatural world and into the real one, putting the entire community in mortal danger. The friends are assisted in finding Will by the intriguingly named Eleven (Anna Amelia), a child who has escaped from the laboratory and possesses psychokinetic abilities. In return for her assistance, the boys help keep her safe from her former captors and the life of abuse she’s endured as a test subject...

Stranger Sings is musical theatre at its very best (but much easier to understand if you’ve watched the first series of Stranger Things) and boasts a strong cast of 10 actors playing multiple roles. Interestingly, Will is played by a puppet, expertly mastered by Verity Power, who also plays his highly strung, chain-smoking mother, Joyce.

The whole cast worked well together last night, presenting a slick, fast-paced show that was brimful with fabulously funny moments. I loved its exuberance and the actors’ perfect comic timing. Expressive acting, strong singing voices and great harmonies, presented alongside excellent choreography and well-executed dance routines, made for a seriously enjoyable night.

There were many stand-out performances, but my favourite had to be Jessie Jae Davis as a Demogorgon dancing to a blend of Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Olivia Newton John’s Let’s Get Physical. Pure genius - and much appreciated by the audience too, who loudly voiced their approval.

The 1980s vibe was strongly evident throughout, with the costumes, wigs and set design - especially the Byers family’s living room, complete with masses of flashing fairy lights - all playing their part.

Although perhaps a little longer than it needed to be, Stranger Sings was great fun to watch. The performers looked like they were truly loving what they were doing - which made the show all the more enjoyable, of course - and the soundtrack provided a magical trip back in time (there were also catchy tunes created especially for the production).

This is a definite contender to be a new cult musical, bringing together fans of the Netflix series with nostalgia buffs eager to revisit the 1980s. And over time, if the show becomes even more popular, it will be no surprise to find audience members turning up looking like refugees from that still-much-loved decade, proudly wearing bright and bold colours, giant shoulder pads, glittery and shiny fabrics, and sporting some seriously big hair!

Four stars

Reviewed by Sue Hull on Monday 15 January at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, where it shows until Wednesday (the 17th). Stranger Sings also shows at Crewe Lyceum (Saturday 17 February), Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury (Thursday 22 & Friday 23 February) and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (Friday 1 & Saturday 2 March).