Rumble Theatre & ITSAZOO Productions present...

The Effect

November 7–22, 2025

Written by Emmy Award Winner Lucy Prebble (HBO: Succession)

Directed by Jiv Parasram

Location: Progress Lab 1422 (1422 William St, Vancouver BC)

Runtime: 90 minutes. No intermission.

Tickets starting at $25!

Buy Tickets Here!

What the Critics Have Said About The Effect:

“The Effect evokes the deliciously unsettling feeling that all of us are nothing more than bundles of chemicals in ongoing experiments” – The Guardian

“a knockout human drama” – London Theatre

“a parable for the modern age” – Harpers Bazaar

About the Show

Is it Love?
Or is it Chemical?

A dark, razor-sharp thriller by Emmy-winning writer of Succession, Lucy Prebble. The Effect dives into the chemical nature of love through the lens of a clinical drug trial. Connie and Tristan enter a study for a new dopamine-regulating antidepressant. They fall in love. Or do they? As dosages rise, desire and obsession intensify, and the boundary between genuine emotion and altered chemistry begins to blur. This provocative and timely co-production between Rumble Theatre and ITSAZOO Productions asks: If you can’t trust your heart and you can’t trust your mind—what’s left?

Content Advisory: This is a close-proximity experience. This production includes sexual content, adult language, discussions of depression and mental health, and portrayals of pharmaceutical trials.

Ticketing

Preview – $20
Artist / Discounted performances – $25
All other shows – $30 REGULAR / $40 I ♥︎ INDIE THEATRE

Click here to get your tickets!

Progress Lab is wheelchair accessible.

If you have any specific access needs or if ticket prices are a financial barrier please email: Angie at angie[at]rumble.org

Show Schedule

WEEK 1

Preview: Friday, November 7 at 7:30 pm

Opening Night: Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 pm

Discounted Evening: Monday, November 10 at 7:30 pm
Discounted Evening:Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30 pm

Evening: Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30 pm
Evening: Thursday, November 13 at 7:30 pm
Evening: Friday, November 14 @ 7:30 pm

Discounted Matinee: Saturday, November 15 @ 2 pm

Evening: Saturday, November 15 @ 7:30 pm – $30 & $40 tickets.

WEEK 2

Discounted Evening: Monday, November 17 at 7:30 pm
Discounted Evening: Tuesday, November 18 at 7:30 pm

Evening: Wednesday, November 19 at 7:30 pm
Evening: Thursday, November 20 at 7:30 pm
Evening: Friday, November 21 at 7:30 pm

CLOSING NIGHT: Saturday, November 22 at 7:30 pm

Plan Your Visit

For more information on how to get to Progress Lab 1422, please click here.

Cast:

Dr. Lorna James ~ Meghan Gardiner
Tristan ~ Andy Kalirai
Connie ~ Paige Louter
Dr. Toby Sealey ~ Anthony Santiago

Creative Team:

Director: Jiv Parasram
Assistant Director: Alisha Davidson
TD & Sound Design: Jack Goodison
Lighting Design: Phil Miguel
Costume Design: Christine Quintana
Set/Props/Projection Design: Monica Emme
Intimacy Director: Lisa Goebel
Stage Management: Maria Zarrillo

Photography: Chelsey Stuyt
Graphic Design: Elsa Orme

Producers: Sebastien Archibald, Maria Zarrillo, Paige Louter, Angie Descalzi
Publicity: Ashley Foot
Marketing & Box Office: Angie Descalzi
Outreach Producer: Anna Brew