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After a drought in the drama scene for the last two years, the prolific Manama Theatre Club is set to make a dramatic return with a script that explores the line between reason and passion.
The Effect, written by Lucy Prebble in 2012, tells the story of a clinical trial for a new antidepressant. It follows a psychology student Connie (Jessica Sellers), who is charmed by easy going vagabond Tristan (Christopher Diciolla).
Sealed off from the outside world, the attraction between the two subjects turns deeper as their doses get stronger.
As the supervising Dr Lorna James (Hannah Turner) and Dr Toby Sealey (James Wassom) try to untangle the ethical dilemma of this illicit relationship, Connie and Tristan risk it all to be together.
From the outset, the story sounds like a straightforward romance with a bit of discussion around mental health.
But, without giving away too much, it’s anything but that. The play is a commentary on the prevalence of drug trials, the people who go through them and how it affects them.
The play begins with an introduction to the characters, and the underlying theme of mental health is immediately at the forefront as Dr Lorna and Connie talk about how depression differs from sadness.
What is wonderful about this script is that it doesn’t take sides, rather presenting as many aspects of drug trials, mental illness, placebos and love, and letting the audience decide what their preferred perspective is.
During a dress rehearsal at the British Club, where the play will be performed, the other fascinating part was the minimalism of the set, something that the director, Jenny Wassom, prefers.
The set is just two medical beds, a doctor’s desk, a privacy screen and a stool. On the back wall, a projector tracks the plot, guiding the audience through the progression of the drug trial.
Operating the lights is Wassoms’ son Jackson, with Jo Diciolla, Mike Jackson and Ribu Samuel managing the sound. In the wings are stage managers PV Anand and Gail Knappett.
The Effect is a conversation-heavy performance, which is a slow burn during the first hour of the two-hour show.
The minimal set means the focus remains on these conversations, instead of getting distracted by a shifting set. In fact, the only set changes during the performance were minor but significant – the stool, adorably nicknamed ‘Stoolie’ by the cast, was shifted when there needed to be a deep one-to-one conversation, the screen was moved to divide characters and the angle of the bed was altered.
To make up for the limited stage space, the actors used the apron space in front, using it smartly to tell stories outside the scope of the drug trial.
The experience of the actors and director is on full display as they use everything from dialogue and blocking to subtle call-backs to tell a story that is both harrowing and thought-provoking.
If one were to summarise the play, the first third is for the head being an intellectually-stimulating depiction of drug trials.
The second bit is for the heart, as audience delve into the romance between the main characters.
And the third bit is where we get the heavy duty, as the script pulls no punches when talking about the drastic impact of clinical trials.
This is a performance that will pull you in with humour and heart, but will keep you glued to your seat and thinking for days with its emotional yet intelligent discussion of ever-pertinent societal issues.
The tickets for The Effect are selling fast. They can be bought from the British Club reception for BD7 for members and BD8 for non-members.
Performances will take place at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7pm today, tomorrow and March 23, 24 and 25.
