Nantwich Players latest studio production is The Effect, writes Claire Faulkner.
Written by Lucy Prebble and directed by Jeremy Acklam, it tells the story of two volunteers who take part in a drug trial for a new antidepressant.
During the trial, the two develop feelings for one another and fall in love.
Doubt starts to creep in, and they become unsure of their feelings are real, or as a result of the medication they are testing.
The studio setting was ideal for this production. Clever use of lighting and sound transformed the stage into a controlled clinical setting, and you could feel the tension building as the trial developed.
The lead roles of Connie and Tristan were played by Anastasia Newton and Sebastian Jamson-Smith.
They worked brilliantly together, and both gave wonderful performances of two people thrown together in unexpected circumstances.
Connie, a student taking the trial seriously and not wanting to break rules, compared to Tristan, who is bursting with energy and can’t seem to stand still.
The trialists are watched by two doctors. Dr Toby Sealey, played by Max Tebbitts and Dr Lorna James, played by Elaine Caufield who were also working through their own ethical issues and conflicts with one another.
The play is fascinating to watch. It was thought provoking, tackling themes including, depression and human nature; exploring what it means to be in love and the relationship between science and medicine.
It was funny in places but also quite emotional. A well written drama which was enjoyable to watch.
The Effect is running at The Players Theatre until 9th November.
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