Affluenza

Noah Schnapp makes his stage debut in Affluenza at Riverside Studios

Affluenza is the world premiere of a new play written and directed by Andy Sandberg, and the first production of the Mainstage 26/27 season at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. It marks the stage debut of Noah Schnapp, known worldwide as Will Byers in Netflix’s Stranger Things. Following strong demand, the run has been extended by a week and now plays until 28 November 2026.

A sharp new play about privilege and its consequences

When a teenager’s drunken car ride ends in devastation, the verdict comes down to one question: is it possible to be too affluent to know the difference between right and wrong? Inspired by true events surrounding a shocking legal defence, the play is set in the ultra-wealthy social world of the Hamptons and asks what privilege costs, who pays for it, and how it passes from one generation to the next. Expect biting, darkly funny drama with real questions about moral accountability, family legacy and the American justice system.

The Affluenza cast brings together screen and stage names

Noah Schnapp leads the company. He is joined by Janette Manrara, familiar from Strictly Come Dancing and It Takes Two, who made her musical theatre debut as Roxie Hart in the UK tour of Chicago; Rupert Young, Olivier-nominated for Dear Evan Hansen and seen in Bridgerton and Merlin; Juliet Cowan (Broken Glass at the Young Vic, Am I Being Unreasonable?); Wallis Currie-Wood (Madam Secretary, Elektra in the West End); and Donald Sage Mackay (Indian Ink, Girl From The North Country).

Andy Sandberg writes and directs the world premiere

Andy Sandberg writes and directs the production. Affluenza is the first of five plays in Riverside Studios’ new Mainstage season, each a limited run.

Plan your visit to Riverside Studios

Performances run Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm. There is no performance on 1 October at 7.30pm or 7 November at 2.30pm, and extra performances are on 4 October at 7.30pm and 3 November at 2.30pm. A captioned performance is scheduled for 14 November at 2.30pm. Riverside Studios sits on the Thames at 101 Queen Caroline Street, a short walk from Hammersmith station.