THE HANGOVER REPORT – Lucy Prebble’s THE EFFECT asks provocative questions in David Cromer’s incisive production at the Barrow Street Theatre

112441This past weekend, I caught the North American premiere of Lucy Prebble’s The Effect at the Barrow Street Theatre. The play, which was originally staged by the London’s prolific and essential National Theatre in 2012, asks the probing questions: When two test subjects in a clinical drug trial for an antidepressant fall hard for each other, is their infatuation with each other caused by the drug or is it the real thing? If it’s the former, should the experience be discounted or minimized?

Under the incisive, almost clinical direction of David Cromer – who makes a welcome return to the New York stage after his successes with Our Town and Tribes, both also at the Barrow Street Theatre – Ms. Prebble’s play attains an appropriately detached air that suits the text. Mr. Cromer is aided by an excellent design team who compliment his clear-eyed handling of the play (scenic design by Marsha Ginsberg, lighting design by Tyler Micoleau).

Susannah Flood and Carter Hudson are ideal as the combustible young test subjects. Both are convincing as they increasingly lose control over their emotions and desires as their dosages are gradually upped over the course of four weeks. The two love birds aren’t the only ones under the microscope. The doctors administering the trial, played coolly Kati Brazda and Steve Key, bring to the mix their own stale history and baggage that counteract the intensity and feeling of the young couple. Both pairs, in turns out, are guinea pigs for both love – and drugs.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

THE EFFECT
Off-Broadway, Play
Barrow Street Theatre
2 hours (with one intermission)
Through June 19

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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