An earnest, relevant and clever portrayal of medical effectiveness.
Northern Assignment’s The Effect is a compelling take on Lucy Prebble’s 2012 play of the same name. The amateur play is an exploration of a clinical trial and its effect (and fallout) on its characters. A story of mental health, love, emotions and truth, it asks the important question of the effectiveness of medication and drug trials.
The story follows the two protagonists, Tristan (Ben Robert Cunningham) and Connie (Alice Glass), as they participate in a drug trial for a new antidepressant and subsequently fall for each other – against the strict instructions of the trial. They battle over whether their romance is genuine or simply a product of the dopamine from the drugs and it is ultimately left ambiguous and open to the audience’s interpretation, which is both thought-provoking and, at times, frustrating.
Glass and Cunningham’s chemistry is convincing, with Tristan demonstrating a confident, free-spirited, egotistical personality and Connie displaying a guarded, emotionally reserved nature, initially uninterested in Tristan’s advances and sceptical of his motivations. Cunningham’s charisma is particularly electric, and his natural delivery makes the dialogue and storyline believable. There was a satisfying element of humour played by Cunningham, which was well received by the audience, and added a surprising light-heartedness.
While the show focuses on the relationship between the two younger characters, it is the addition of the trial supervisors, Dr Lorna (Fiona Hourston) and her boss Tony (Paul Beeson), that adds another dimension. Hourston is persuasive as an anxious, hardworking doctor struggling with her own mental health and unresolved past with Tony, while Beeson successfully portrays a serious, focused doctor navigating his own challenges. Tony’s infrequent appearances break up the romantic scenes, bringing the play’s scientific investigation back into focus. Hourston and Beeson also use monologues and moments of breaking the fourth wall to draw attention to these themes, doing so successfully.
By contrasting Lorna’s commitment to scientific integrity with Tony’s results-driven approach, the production subtly questions whether clinical research can ever be entirely objective, or whether personal ethics and professional motivations inevitably shape its outcomes.
The simple four-person show is well suited to the intimate setting of Edinburgh’s Voodoo Rooms. The actors use strong, projective vocals to reach all members of the audience, although at times this volume compromises the otherwise realistic dialogue.
Featuring only a medical curtain and two seats, the minimal set reflects the play’s simple, primary setting. While also demonstrating the lower-budget production, it provides a convincing hospital-like setting while remaining versatile enough for other locations. The actors use the small space resourcefully, with the curtain acting as a split screen at times and marking scene changes without diminishing the audience’s ability to picture each setting.
Despite the lack of variety in the set, the use of music works particularly well. Eerie, clinical ringing highlights the increasingly intense environment of the trial before stopping abruptly, bringing us back to the present moment. The stark, colour-changing lights add elements of clinical seriousness, passionate romance moments and introspective monologues, switching between blues, reds and spotlights. The depiction of the characters’ gradual reactions to increasing drug doses is convincing, with Glass performing particularly well in this aspect.
While the characters are well established, it would have been interesting to hear more about their backstories and what led them to the trial. Similarly, while the play raises relevant and important questions, it does ultimately leave these unanswered, with no obvious stance on the topic.
Overall, Northern Assignment’s production of The Effect is well thought out and acted, focusing on real-life scenarios through a unique and clever storyline – excelling in the second half. It features a strong cast, playing their characters in an earnest and intentional way that is easy to believe. With a week-long stint in venues across Edinburgh and Glasgow, the show is both a valuable and thought-provoking watch.