Are you in love, or are you merely experiencing a giddy dopamine rush? Is there a true, innermost “you” that is distinguishable from your neurochemistry? “The Effect” revolves around two young people, Tristan and Connie, who take part in a trial for a dopamine-based psychiatric drug with powerful antidepressant properties. Throughout the study, the participants are monitored by two psychiatric doctors, Lorna and Toby, who debate their findings: Is the drug pulling their subjects together, or are their feelings organic? And if one of the trial participants was actually receiving a placebo the whole time, what then?

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Persons: Lucy Prebble’s, Jamie Lloyd, Tristan, Connie, Lorna, Toby, Prebble Organizations: National Theater Locations: London, East London, Canada