Review: The Gamm Theatre's 'The Effect' an Effective Thriller

A clinical drug trial, two participants, two clinicians who have some history and a monkey wrench thrown into the works: Love. But is it for real, or a dopamine fueled side effect?

These and other questions are posed by British playwright Lucy Prebble ("ENRON," HBO's "Succession") exploring "The Effect" in which two volunteers fall for each other in a closed drug trial where contact is prohibited.

Connie (Gabrielle McCauley, "Honey" in last season's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?") and Tristan (Anthony T. Goss, who played "Lincoln" in Gamms' "Topdog/Underdog") are two young people who are keen to test a new anti-depression drug. Dr. Lorna James (Janine Kane, "Martha" in "Virgina Woolf") explains the rules to her new test subjects, and Dr. Toby Sealey (Trinity Repertory Company member Stephen Thorne, making his Gamm debut) is her supervisor. There is an immediate disconnect between James and Sealey; it is later revealed that they may have hooked up previously.

Our two test subjects seem, at least on the surface, like polar opposites. Connie is flighty but guarded as she is in a relationship with an older man, and Tristan seems streetwise but charming and flirty. As they get to know each other, their relationship deepens, and this causes Lorna to lose control not only of her two subjects, but herself as well. Prebble crafts a script which asks perhaps too many questions, but the answers aren't necessarily all handed to us, thankfully.

Steve Kidd, who directed last season's well received "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" picks an excellent cast, all of whom have performed at the Gamm save Thorne; he is excellent as Sealey. Kane seems at home performing the emotionally fragile Lorna, and McCauley really shines as Connine. Goss is equally charming and heartbreaking as Tristan, whose journey is perhaps the most tragic. Kidd gets the most of his cast and a nearly bare set, highlighted by some lighting and sound effects, all of which are quite effective. If the show is designed to pull you into the drama, then this "Effect" truly succeeds.

Prebble's dialogue sounds truly natural. This show won a Critics Circle Award in 2012 after its premiere at London's National Theatre, which starred a post-"Doctor Who" Billie Piper as Connie. The Gamm's season opener is an excellent one, and a strong start.

"The Effect" runs through October 13 at The Gamm Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02886. For information or tickets call 401-723-4266 or visit www.gammtheatre.org.