Noah Schnapp, known for playing Will Byers in Stranger Things, makes his London stage debut in Affluenza at Riverside Studios, a satire on American culture that critic Nick Curtis finds lacking in depth.
Star-studded cast and opening night
The play, written and directed by Andy Sandberg, follows a trend of Stranger Things actors appearing on London stages. Schnapp's debut comes after Sadie Sink's West End Juliet and Linnea Berthelsen's solo show Darkling, and before Gaten Matarazzo's appearance in Rent. The opening night in Hammersmith attracted a turnout of Strictly dancers, including Tess Daly, due to the presence of Janette Manrara in what is believed to be her professional acting debut.
Plot and performances
Schnapp initially plays Dylan, a multimillionaire's son who causes deaths and injuries in a car accident after drinking underage. When his family shows no remorse, their lawyer Brad enters a defence of "affluenza", claiming Dylan's wealth prevented him from learning right from wrong. The play then jumps chronologically and thematically, targeting the law, media, race attitudes, and reality TV.
Sandberg uses twisty narrative and multi-role casting, with Rupert Young playing both lawyer Brad and adult Dylan, and Schnapp returning as Dylan's son Todd. However, Curtis notes the characters are functional stereotypes in implausible scenarios. Wallis Currie-Wood impresses as Brad's wife Anna, but her second role as Crystal is cartoonish. Schnapp and Manrara deliver fine performances, but there is little depth.
Stagecraft and setting
The stagecraft is obvious, with lighting changes as a victim's father toggles between prepared statements and true feelings. The subject matter feels dated, and the take on reality TV seems like a relic. Designer Charlie Corcoran's beach-house set opens into other locations but looks cheap.
Sandberg's five-play "Mainstage" season aims to give purpose back to the venue, which has struggled since reopening in 2019. Next up are Sacrilegious and Expecting. The run continues until 28 Nov at riversidestudios.co.uk.
