The National Theatre's revival of Lucy Prebble's The Effect, currently playing an Off-Broadway transfer at The Shed, releases an album of its music via Broadway Records March 8. The two-disc release features the Jamie Lloyd-directed production's score, composed by Michael “Mikey J” Asante.
The album is available to purchase and stream here.
“When asked by Jamie to compose the score, knowing the intimacy and visceral storytelling his shows wish to make, I asked him, ‘Why me?,’" says Asante in a statement. "I am known for heavy beat-driven sonics, and he said he wanted the audience to be enveloped by the music as soon as they entered the building, taking them on a thumping ride that we would see and feel as we journey with our two test subjects. It had to be bold, brash, and abrasive at times, forcing the music into the bodies of our audience. I hopefully delivered that!”
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The production's U.S. premiere began Off-Broadway at The Shed's Griffin Theater March 3, and will officially open March 13. Presented by the National Theatre in association with The Jamie Lloyd Company, the limited engagement will continue through March 31.
The cast features Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) as Tristan and Taylor Russell (Bones and All) as Connie, participants in a clinical drug trial who begin an illicit romance, alongside Michele Austin (This Is Going to Hurt) as Dr. Lorna James and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Dr. Toby Sealey.
Lloyd directs the revival, which was originally produced in London in 2023. The play was first produced in London in 2012 by the National Theatre.
Along with Asante's score, the production features set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by George Dennis, movement direction by Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui (SAY), fight direction by Kate Waters, intimacy coordination by Ingrid Mackinnon, and casting by Alastair Coomer.
Visit TheShed.org.