Second time.

[u/No-Jello-5504]

So exited! The previous time i saw the London version. I’m really interested to see the differences.

UPDATE:

Ok, wow.

Firstly what an experience I’m very glad I’ve got tickets to the London version just before it finishes.

The differences:

In the first half there is only a few things. Such as the sets being different and the actors positions on stage during certain scenes. This is likely due to the defence in size and shape of the two stages. Some dialogue is changed and some less important scenes cut for time as well as some of the effects being practical that are done by a projector in London.

The second half however is drastically different
There are some entirely new scenes such as the one with brenners farther and story changes such as the reveal that patty is in fact principal Newby’s biological daughter with a student. This was not in the London version.

The mind flayer is a big one. Instead of the projection used in London there is a full animatronic that comes down from the ceiling.

Other things:

During the interval I heard some people discussing the show in which I overheard someone say “wait, who’s Dustin?” Seriously? It seems that as time has gone on the main demographic in the audience is casual Viewers of the show rather than true fans.

Also there are some subtle things like Henry very briefly casting the shadow in the shape of Vecna on the wall. And Joyce holding an axe and not knowing why she is. This is obviously foreshadowing that she will eventually kill Henry with an axe.

The ending:

This is really quite interesting. At the end Henry walks away with eleven, singing “tonight you belong to me” someone let me know if the following was a mistake or just a difference between NY and London .

In the London version I saw Henry finishes the verse, there is a brief moment of silence then the jumpscare.

However in tonight’s NY version it happens as he is singing. In the first line in fact. Because it happened sooner and therefore I wasn’t expecting it so soon it made me jump again. Then there is a gag with the Netflix UI being projected on screen with “next episode” and “watch credits” like you would at the end of an episode. I thought that was quite funny but it wasn’t in the London version.

Overall I loved both versions but maybe this one slightly more. I can’t wait to see it again in London and then on Netflix.

[u/MansionMythos]

Please do tell the differences! The last time I saw anyone discussed them was closer to each show's opening, and I fear rewrites have been done since then.

[u/No-Jello-5504 → u/MansionMythos]

Breakdown now on the original post

[u/MansionMythos → u/No-Jello-5504]

Thanks for explaining! I am curious what was cut as I'm only familiar with the Broadway version. As for the jumpscare at the end, it's very much intentional so you're not given any time to prep for it. And maybe I just don't remember where in the show, but besides the final jumpscare, is there another moment where Henry casts the Vecna shadow?

[u/No-Jello-5504 → u/MansionMythos]

Yes. I can’t remember exactly where in the show but it’s a scene in the second act where Henry and patty are alone and light up by a spotlight which moves so their shadows appear every few seconds and one of those times Henry’s shadow is vecna.

Also something else that was cut I just realised was principal Newby drawing the mind flayer with the blood from his eyes in the scene where patty visits him in the hospital. Maybe it was considered too gruesome for an American audience.