The Effect

by Lucy Prebble

Genres: Plays, Theatre

Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Lucy Prebble is a British playwright. She is the author of the plays The Sugar Syndrome, The Effect and ENRON, and adaptation writer of the television series Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

Reviews

[Baileigh Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading plays is always a little odd for me because its hard for me to imagine what is going on, but this concept presented in the play regarding clinical trials was interesting. I thought Tristan was so weird, Connie was pick me, and Toby was like Dr. Frankenstein x100. But I didn't mind Dr. James because she was just there.

[Cleo Schroer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“all we are is this three pound lump of jelly. but it’s not necessarily me, is it?”

“I love you, Lorn. And it’s not romantic with… the lies of that, and it’s not family, like a genetic trick. I just. I’ve built a bit of my brain round you. And it’s important to me. So. Please”

maybe getting into my reading plays era

[Spencer Mirabal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mental and emotional roller coaster, hyperloop train hybrid that occasionally has parts of the track cut off so that you leap into the air without knowing if you’ll make it to the next section. The story and its twists move super fast, but it never loses its humanness.

[Abbie Billington · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a bout of particularly poor mental health, I was prescribed anti-depressants by my GP. Even before that point, I had been grappling with the idea of taking medication to help with my mental health. I was worried about side effects, about the impact it would have on my relationships but also, how it would change me as a person. Am I still the same person if the chemicals in my brain are being altered?

'The Effect' felt like a mirror to me. I'm a huge believer in love, fate and connection and believe that everyone has a person. My partner is a huge source of joy and comfort in my life and I truly believe we were destined to meet. But at the same time, I cannot help but ask the question - are my brain and body the same? Does my brain control my capacity to love? Was I predetermined to fall in love with my partner because of fate or because of the chemicals in my brain? And had I been on anti-depressants when I met him, would that have changed anything?

Prebble handles this sensitive but deeply enthralling concept with tact and brilliance. She explores the topic with ease but without giving us a definitive answer. We, the audience and indeed the reader, are left to decide what we believe based on what she has laid out for us. But even if the pessimistic answer is indeed the reality, that we are bound to our chemical reactions and love can be formulated and controlled, the fact of the matter is that love will remain regardless.

Tristan and Connie, after all they have been through, still choose to show up for one another. Connie, who throughout the play was convinced their attraction was drug-related, cares for Tristan during his amnesia and sickness. She commits to him and dedicates herself to him. And there's a quiet beauty in that. There's beauty in the fact that, at the end of it all, after the chemical sparks and whirlwind romances have faded, love remains. Commitment remains. And perhaps that is what Prebble is trying to convey. Love is not fate or chemicals. It is commitment.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

the live production I saw/worked on of this was phenomenal; though I think the projections, soundtrack, and acting put in more legwork than the actual script itself. maybe my favorite play I did all year. an excruciatingly human story with a very cool concept.

I liked Connie and Tristan enough, though their falling in love happened a bit too quickly for me, even with the drug.

was honestly more invested in Lorna and Toby’s plotline, and I loved both their monologues.

made me reflect a lot on how I view my own mental health. I cried at the ending.

[Tilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was frustrating, maybe I need to see it to understand it more. I was only invested in Connie’s and Tristan’s love story and still they both were are to like

[Caris · Rating 4 out of 5]

woah, still floored in the best way possible

[Mira · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5

[mengwe · Rating 5 out of 5]

very excited about this scene 🤠

[Sara Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful story, real characters. makes you think and feel