The Effect

This week The Effect by Lucy Prebble has been playing at Corpus Playroom. I had the chance to meet up with the cast before their last show and do a few photos. We managed to run quickly run through a few of the scenes before it was time for the cast to get ready for their performance.

On Camdram you can read:

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

Four people are involved in a failed drugs trial for RLU37, a new anti-depressant created by the international corporate giant, Rauschen Pharmaceuticals. Doctors Toby and Lorna battle with the meaning of depression and the limits of medical science, as they administer the trial in an explosive professional partnership. Tristan and Connie, volunteers on the trial, soon develop a violent love for each other. But they are cannot get past one burning question: is their love ‘real’ or is it induced by the dopamine coursing their veins? Does it matter?

The Effect is a funny, passionate and moving depiction of modern medical science, depression and love.

Winner of Best New Play, Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2012.

‘This is a provocative and challenging play … it ends in an edgy gesture of good sense that made me feel like cheering.’ – The Independent

‘The Effect is a headlong delve into the mysteries of the human brain. And Prebble pulls it off with assurance, tickling our cerebellums in the first half, before tugging on our heartstrings in the second … heartbreaking … it has a heart as well as a brain.’ – Time Out

hjorthmedh-the-effect-1 — Os Leanse sitting on a bed dressed in scrubs.

hjorthmedh-the-effect-2 — Os Leanse, Bethan Davidson and Avigail Tlalim. Beth’s white doctor’s robe lit by a spotlight makes her stand out in this scene.

hjorthmedh-the-effect-3 — Avigail Tlalim, Bethan Davidson and Os Leanse. The blue safety lights in the doorway are usually a distraction, but here they work nicely in the scene.

hjorthmedh-the-effect-4 — Bethan Davidson checking the pupillary reflexes on Avigail Tlalim.

hjorthmedh-the-effect-5 — Os Leanse and Bethan Davidson

hjorthmedh-the-effect-6 — Os Leanse and Bethan Davidson lit by the light from the iPad.

hjorthmedh-the-effect-7 — Bethan Davidson with a board of letters to check the eyesight.

hjorthmedh-the-effect-9 — Os Leanse and Avigail Tlalim fighting.

hjorthmedh-the-effect-10 — Avigail Tlalim and Os Leanse

hjorthmedh-the-effect-11 — Bethan Davidson talking to her old friend.

hjorthmedh-the-effect-16 — Bethan Davidson holding a brain. I really like her expression and the light in this photo.

Reviews: The Tab (5/5), Varsity (3.5/5) and TCS (8/10)

Cast
Tristan – Os Leanse
Connie – Avigail Tlalim
Toby – Tom Hilton
Lorna – Bethan Davidson

Production Team
Director – Hannah Calascione
Producer – Chloe Slattery
Sound Designer – Michael Davin
Publicity Designer – Sophie Birkin
Film/Projectionist – Pauline Blanchet
Lighting Designer – Peter Lotts
Tap Dance Choreographer – Sam Fairbrother
Production Photographer – Amelia Oakley
Photographer – Johannes Hjorth

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