Also in the cast are Tom Goodman-Hill, Anastasia Hille and Jonjo O’Neill. The production will be designed by Miriam Buether with lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Christopher Shutt with projection design by Jon Driscoll.

The Effect is described in press materials as a clinical romance, exploring questions of sanity, neurology and the limits of medicine.

Prebble's previous plays include Enron (also directed by Goold and co-produced by Headlong, which originated at Chichester Festival Theatre before transferring to the West End and Broadway), Liquid and The Sugar Syndrome. Goold and designer Miriam Buether previously collaborated on Earthquakes in London at the National's Cottesloe.

Piper's previous stage credits include Reasons to be Pretty (Almeida) and Treats (West End's Garrick Theatre). Other screen credits include "True Love," "Secret Diary of a Call Girl," "Mansfield Park," "Ruby in the Smoke" and "Much Ado About Nothing."

Goodman-Hill’s stage credits include Earthquakes in London and Enron for Rupert Goold and Headlong at the National and Chichester respectively, Tartuffe at the National and Monty Python's Spamalot (Palace). Hille has appeared frequently at the National where her credits include Women of Troy, Waves, A Dream Play and The Oresteia.  She has also appeared at the Young Vic, Royal Court, Donmar Warehouse and for the RSC.

Public booking opens Sept. 24. To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7452 3000 or visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk for more details.