Set in the context of a drug trial, The Effect explores the nature of true love and the effect of our neurobiology on our emotions and actions. The play sees psychology student Connie and wanderer Tristan meet at a clinical trial for a new anti-depressant, and follows them as they slowly fall for each other. However, things are complicated when they are unsure if their feelings are due to love or the effects of the drugs. This raises the important questions: how can we be sure of what we feel? If a chemical can cause us to lose grasp of our memories, what is left to define our personality? Are we simply the physical constituent of our numerous body organs, or is there something transcendental residing within our rationality that makes us – us?
The Effect prompts its audiences to consider the power of the mind and of medicine, and the mysterious nature of neurology, leaving them wondering about one’s own sanity and the basis of one’s emotional decisions.
(Source: The Honeycombers Website)