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The Effect

by Lucy Prebble
in association with The Jamie Lloyd Company

A blue-tinted photomontage split into four quadrants, with portraits of Taylor Russell in the top-left and Paapa Essiedu in the top-right, Paapa and Taylor about to kiss in the bottom-left and Taylor touching her neck, eyes closed, in the bottom-right.

Booking and details

This production played in the Lyttelton Theatre from 1 August to 7 October 2023.

Who I am
Is not
A side effect.

Hearts and minds racing, Connie and Tristan are falling for each other fast. But is their sudden and intoxicating chemistry real, or a side effect of a new antidepressant?

As two young volunteers in a clinical drug trial, their illicit romance poses startling dilemmas for the supervising doctors.

Lucy Prebble’s (Succession) critically acclaimed play returns to the National Theatre in a bold new production directed by Jamie Lloyd (Cyrano de Bergerac).

Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) is joined by Taylor Russell (Bones and All) in this funny and intimate examination of love and ethics.

Performed 1 August — 7 October 2023 in the Lyttelton Theatre.

Nominated for the Olivier Awards 2024:

  • Best Revival

Suitability

Please note: This production contains strong language and adult themes. There are strobe/flashing lights, smoke and haze effects, with some loud music.

Some scenes include sexual content, physical aggression, depictions of seizures and references to depression, anxiety and suicide.

Gallery

Video

A blue-tinted photomontage split into two panels, with a close-up film still of Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell, foreheads touching, on the left, and a longer shot of the same scene, moments before or after, revealing Taylor's arm around Paapa's neck, on the right.
Play Video

Watch the trailer

Two people sitting in a rehearsal room, looking off to the left.
Play Video

Creating the Character

Two people wearing matching tracksuits stand on a dark, empty stage, each lit in a square of light.
Play Video

Creating the Space

A man in a dark room looking at a sound board and wearing headphones.
Play Video

Creating the Sound

Cast

Production team

Writer

Lucy Prebble

Lucy Prebble

Director

Jamie Lloyd

Jamie Lloyd

Set and Costume Designer

Soutra Gilmour

Soutra Gilmour

Lighting Designer

Jon Clark

Jon Clark

Composer

Michael 'Mikey J' Asante

Michael 'Mikey J' Asante

Sound Designer

George Dennis

George Dennis

Movement Directors

Sarah Golding & Yukiko Masui (SAY)

Sarah Golding & Yukiko Masui (SAY)

Fight Director

Kate Waters

Kate Waters

Intimacy Coordinator

Ingrid Mackinnon

Ingrid Mackinnon

Casting Director

Alastair Coomer CDG

Alastair Coomer CDG

Staff Director

Jonathan Glew

Jonathan Glew

 

 

Photography (Paapa Esseidu and Taylor Russell) by Johnny Ho.
Photo of Taylor Russell by Julian Ungano