Lucy Prebble’s acclaimed play, “The Effect,” is making its exclusive American debut at the Shed in New York City from March 3 to March 31. The National Theatre/Jamie Lloyd Company revival, a five-time WhatsOnStage Award nominee, brings together the original London cast, featuring Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) and Taylor Russell (Bones and All) in lead roles.
Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the play delves into the story of Tristan and Connie, volunteers in a drug trial who find themselves entangled in a romantic relationship. As the narrative unfolds, they grapple with the uncertainty of whether their burgeoning love is authentic or a side effect of the antidepressant being tested. Michele Austin and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith also reprise their roles from the London production earlier in the year.
The production’s creative team includes set and costume designer Soutra Gilmour, lighting designer Jon Clark, composer Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante, sound designer George Dennis, movement directors Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui (SAY), fight director Kate Waters, and intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon.
Essiedu, Russell, and Austin have received WhatsOnStage Award nominations for their performances, along with a nod for Jon Clark’s lighting design. The play itself is in contention for Best Play Revival. Described by WhatsOnStage as “a rivetingly intelligent evening,” the production promises a thought-provoking exploration of love and the impact of pharmaceuticals on human emotions.
Originally produced by the National Theatre and the Jamie Lloyd Company in London, “The Effect” is a compelling and timely examination of love and uncertainty in the context of a clinical drug trial. The Shed’s Griffin Theater will host the American premiere, with previews commencing on March 3, the official opening on March 13, and a limited run concluding on March 31. Audiences can anticipate a captivating and intellectually stimulating theatrical experience.
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