The Effect

The Effect

By Lucy Prebble

"I can tell the difference between who I am and a side effect."

When Connie and Tristan meet during a clinical drug trial, they fall for each other. But is this sudden and magnetic attraction natural? Or a side effect of the experimental anti-depressant pumping through their veins? Is there a meaningful difference?

As the dosage climbs, their inhibitions fall away posing serious problems for the trial and its supervising clinicians, Lorna and Toby. Laden with their own messy history, they struggle to agree if the drug could be the cause of this effect. But as Connie and Tristan's attraction grows beyond everyone's control, all find their certainties about the drug, the human mind and reality thrown into jeopardy. 

Penned with engrossing style and razor-sharp wit by three-time Emmy award winner Lucy Prebble (Succession), The Effect is an edge of your seat romantic thriller provoking questions about the nature of love, depression and the forces driving our emotional lives.

The play shall be announced as follows in all publicity and promotional material connected with the production, which includes programmes and posters as well as websites and social media accounts under your control: “The Effect by Lucy Prebble”. We must approve any biographical details about the Playwright used in publicity and promotional material connected with the production in advance. The fringe status of the production must be clearly indicated in all publicity and promotional material. The production must not be claimed to be a premiere in any way. Credit shall be given in programmes to the first performance of the play as follows: “The Effect was first performed at the National Theatre, London, directed by Rupert Goold and co-produced with Headlong on 13 November 2012.” The Licensor’s agent shall be acknowledged in programmes as follows: ”By arrangement with Knight Hall Agency Ltd”.