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Firefly Festival: The Effect By Lucy Prebble

Performance

Event date
Tuesday 26 May 2026, 6pm
Location
In-person only
Black Box Theatre TFTV/046, School of Arts and Creative Technologies East, Campus East, University of York (Map)
Audience
Open to staff, students, the public
Admission
£4/£7, booking required

Event details

Firefly Festival 2026!

The Effect

In a drug trial, participants Connie and Tristan fall in love. But are their feelings a consequence of the new antidepressant they are taking? As the relationship between Connie and Tristan grows more intense, doctors Lorna and Toby begin to fear for their safety. They clash over how best to handle the situation, which is spiralling out of control. The Effect is a play about connection, mental health and whether we should listen to reason or follow our desires.

Cast

Director - Louis De Souza Dark 

Designer - Isobel Hanson 

Connie - Kate Purdie 

Tristan - Dasha Mirashnikova 

Dr James - Molly Lawford 

Toby - Betina Tello Peirce 

Content warnings: Amnesia/Memory Loss, Blood, Body Hatred, Chronic Pain, Drug Use, Emotional abuse, Fat phobia, Hospitalisation, Infidelity, Manipulation, Mental Illness, Needles/ Injections, Panic attacks, Physical abuse, Pornographic content (including masturbation), Psychological abuse, Seizures, Sensory/Staging hazards, Smoking, Strong Language, Suicide, Surgery, Violence

Safety warnings include: Loud noises, sensory hazards, flashing lighting, blackouts, tinnitus noise, and haze.

About Firefly Festival

Firefly Festival is a celebration of all performance and theatre. This festival is centred around community and celebrating each other through live performances, music, cinema and new writing. Firefly not only platforms up and coming talent but also provides opportunities to work with and hear from established local artists in theatre. 

Venue details

Wheelchair accessible

Contact

Firefly Festival Team

fireflyfestyork@gmail.com