About This Event

Join us for the launch of The Nervous State, celebrating the creative connections between historical research and dramatic writing We invite you to join us at the University of Sheffield for a free public event celebrating the publication of The Nervous State: F. L. Lucas and the Internalization of Crisis in Britain, 1938 (https://universitypress.whiterose.ac.uk/books/m/10.22599/TheNervousState), by historian Professor Julie V. Gottlieb and playwright Nicola Baldwin, newly published by White Rose University Press (https://universitypress.whiterose.ac.uk/). Bringing together history and theatre, The Nervous State offers a distinctive exploration of life in Britain during the turbulent year of 1938, demonstrating how historical research and creative writing can work together to illuminate the past. At the heart of the book is the extraordinary journal of F. L. (Peter) Lucas, a Cambridge classicist and man of letters, who began documenting his experiences on 31 December 1937. Against the backdrop of mounting political tensions in Europe and the approach of the Second World War, Lucas recorded not only the unfolding international crisis but also the deterioration of his wife Prudence's mental health and the breakdown of their marriage. First published in 1939 as Journal Under the Terror, 1938, Lucas's account offers a compelling insight into the relationship between public events and private experiences during a pivotal moment in British and European history. A groundbreaking interdisciplinary collaboration, The Nervous State brings together the first published edition of Baldwin's play, a detailed historical analysis by Professor Gottlieb, and a reflective dialogue exploring the creative and intellectual exchange at the heart of the project. The evening will begin with a conversation between the two authors, exploring the origins of their collaboration, how the book came together, and the ways in which historical research and dramatic interpretation can inform and enrich one another. A panel discussion will build on this conversation, considering the creative possibilities of bringing history to the stage, the relationship between historical scholarship and storytelling, and the value of interdisciplinary approaches to researching, writing and teaching history. There will then be an open Q&A session, offering the audience an opportunity to ask questions, engage with the speakers and learn more about the ideas and creative processes behind the book. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided, offering an opportunity to continue the conversation in a more informal setting and celebrate the book's publication. Whether you're interested in history, theatre, literature, creative writing or the different ways we can explore and communicate the past, we hope you will join us for an engaging and celebratory evening. This event is free and open to all. Please register in advance to reserve your place.

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