For those of us who have been fortunate enough to see performances on the National Theatre’s Lyttleton stage, the revival of Lucy Prebbles’ 2012 play The Effect certainly gives you a new perspective and not only in the literal sense, writes Christopher Peacock.
Soutra Gilmour has converted this proscenium space into traverse and lighting designer Jon Clarke has his rig hovering above the stage as you enter, creating a cold, antiseptic environment.
This play about a clinical trial for a new antidepressant and two of its trialists is matched with bright clinical lighting and a bare LED-lit stage. This production note is perfectly taken on by George Dennis’s sound design and Michael Asante’s composition which gives an unsettling and unnerving soundscape throughout.
Prebble’s script has been updated with modern references to suit a new audience. The young trialists are Connie, a Canadian psychology student played by Taylor Russell in an accomplished and nuanced professional theatre debut, and Tristan a cocksure, charismatic Hackney lad played by Paapa Essiedu. The clinical trial they begin starts benignly but as it goes on their dopamine levels rise dramatically and they risk their places on the trial as their interest in each other develops into romance.
Completing the quartet of performers are Michele Austin as Dr Lorna James, who is conducting the trial and measuring the metrics, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Dr Toby Sealy whose drug trial this is. The relationship between the two doctors is revealed to have been more than just professional in the past and the tension between them climaxes as the play progresses. Holdbrook-Smith and Austin put in great performances in the more fervent scenes.
The Effect, directed by Jamie Lloyd, highlights the ethical challenges behind the very trials that lead to the pharmaceutical breakthroughs that have advanced medicine to where it is today. The people subjected never know what is real or not whilst in the programme, their emotions and decision-making left open to either the effect of the drug or a placebo reaction of their own making. Although focussing on the interpersonal difficulties and morality there is also passing commentary on the industry as a whole with quips fired in from Dr James at Dr Sealy’s expense.
Thought-provoking and with an overall design that never leaves you particularly comfortable. The production is executed extremely well in all departments and at times you feel immersed in the trial itself, just with less dopamine flowing through your system.
National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX until October 7th. Times: Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat matinees 2.15 pm. Admission: £20 – £89.
Booking: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
