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My Sheffield
In conversation with TV and stage writer Lucy Prebble
My Sheffield
In conversation with TV and stage writer Lucy Prebble
A little over 25 years ago Lucy Prebble (BA English Literature 2002, Hon LittD 2025) crossed the stage of the Octagon clutching her degree certificate. She arrived in Sheffield on the precipice of a new millennium and spent three transformative years living the student cliché: chatting politics and ‘finding herself’.
Last summer, Lucy returned to Sheffield to receive an Honorary Degree that recognised her critically acclaimed career in theatre and TV. Sharing her memories, Lucy gives us a fascinating look at how her journey went from hiding work in a shoebox under the bed, to commanding the writers’ room on hit TV show, Succession.
In the autumn of 1999, Lucy left Surrey and arrived in Sheffield. Describing her younger self as “morose” and “not good at sports at all”, Lucy’s love of books and writing guided her studies.
“I wrote from when I was very young. It was all short stories, and terrible poetry and songs, all in shoe boxes under my bed, not showing anything to anybody. I didn’t come from a world where anyone did an artistic job so I hadn’t even thought about whether that was a possibility.”
“When I looked at which universities had the best reputation for English, Sheffield was on the list. I came to visit and there was just something about the city that I fell in love with. Other cities just didn’t feel as warm to me. But Sheffield is exactly the right size to still feel friendly and still be a proper city.”
New places, new people, new ideas
Reminiscing about the live music scene in Sheffield at the time, Lucy loved Pulp and Richard Hawley. Yet it still took her a while to find her feet, and her people.
“Weirdly, I lived with a lot of medical students and they were really into dance music and wanted to go to Gatecrasher. But as an indie kid, I couldn’t deal with that amount of rhythm! I’d be stood holding a glowstick thinking ‘Am I having fun?’, whilst the medics, who were always the most drunk and debauched, were absolutely having it. For me that journey between being a pretend Gatecrasher person and then finding my people at The Leadmill is something I remember very well.”
But time spent in The Leadmill wasn’t time misspent when it came to Lucy’s burgeoning talents as a writer.
“I was particularly inspired by going to see live music. It isn’t that different from theatre. You’re in a space with an audience and the musicians want to hold your attention and move you. I learnt a lot from watching Richard Hawley. Lead singers can be funny and they have an emotional power. They’re dialogue writers as well as musicians.”
“I really didn’t find my people until I came to Sheffield.”
It was during her studies that Lucy discovered she was particularly good at writing dialogue, taking inspiration from the people of Sheffield as well as the music.
“There’s a lot of turns of phrase and friendliness between people. People in cafes, on buses, chatting - giving you everyday speech and dialect that feels real and interesting. I remember getting on a bus and the driver chatting to someone ahead of me. I thought, if this was London people would be really annoyed. But everyone was just laughing along with the conversation.”
Lucy wrote her first play, Liquid, as a student and credits her time at Sheffield as the springboard for her theatre career
Lucy wrote her first play, Liquid, as a student and credits her time at Sheffield as the springboard for her theatre career
Finding inspiration
From afternoons in the pub to evenings producing plays with SUTCo (Sheffield University Theatre Company), student life exposed Lucy to new places, new people and new ideas.
“I really didn’t find my people until I came to Sheffield. But suddenly there were loads of people like me. After lectures and seminars, a group of about six or seven of us used to hang out and chat in the West End pub on Glossop Road, only there were loads of people like me.
I’d never had conversations like that before. It might sound like a bit of a student cliché but those conversations were personal and political and a bit artistic as well. The only conversations I’d had like that before were with books. These people had opinions about things that I didn’t even know existed.
I was learning about the world through these conversations just as much as I was in lectures and seminars. It was completely transformative for me. I felt like my world opened up.”
A career shaped by Sheffield
Lucy wrote her first short play, Liquid, in her final year. Yet despite it being selected for the National Student Drama Festival, Lucy remembers it for other reasons.
“To say it was flawed, is being kind. It had some quite good dialogue. But story structure? Not so much. I don’t say that to be self-deprecating, I say it because it’s true. Sheffield shaped me as a writer because I did stuff that wasn’t very good.
That’s how you learn. Student theatre is so important for that because you sit with an audience and you learn physically. The shame in your body when something doesn’t work or a laugh doesn’t land or a story suddenly gets boring. It’s a great opportunity to get better.”
Lucy (left) with Billie Piper, star of Secret Diary of a Call Girl and I Hate Suzie
Lucy (left) with Billie Piper, star of Secret Diary of a Call Girl and I Hate Suzie
Acclaim on a global stage
Unbeknownst to her then, it would take critics just a few years to herald Lucy as one of the UK’s most exciting young writers.
From breakout success with her play Enron, to long-standing creative partnerships with Billie Piper (Secret Diary of a Call Girl and I Hate Suzie), and Jesse Armstrong (Succession and Mountainhead), Lucy’s talent is now internationally recognised.
"Sheffield shaped me as a writer because I did stuff that wasn’t very good. That’s how you learn."
But how is she honing that talent now her student-theatre days are behind her?
“That’s the glory of the writer’s room. You get a very quick sense of whether something is going to work or not. If you say something that gets a physical reaction, and it almost doesn’t matter what the reaction is, I think that’s good, that’s meaningful in some way, it’s moving.”
“But truth is always the ultimate barometer. That’s something Jesse and I are really passionate about, always coming back to the question ‘but is it true?’. Even if it is really moving. Or more often, if it’s really funny. Some people will always go for funny even if it’s not true. I always lean towards the truth."
"There are scenes in Succession where I was like, ‘I just don’t quite buy it’. Particularly in a Tom and Greg scene. I’d say, ‘We’re getting a bit crazy here guys. It’s great but really?’ Don’t get me wrong I love Tom and Greg, but there were a few scenes where I felt we might be tipping into a completely different show.”
Despite Lucy’s thoughts on those scenes, Succession has won multiple awards and Lucy’s career continues on an upward trajectory. What’s next for the English Lit Sheffield alumna? She’s hinted that she’s starting to get around to writing again after a much-deserved break - so watch this space!
Thank you Lucy for taking the time to reminisce. Readers can watch Lucy’s latest work, Mountainhead, on various subscription streaming services.
Making history
120 years of Sheffield Students' Union
For more than a century, the University of Sheffield Students’ Union has been the beating heart of student life, a place where friendships are forged, voices are heard, and change begins. Since its earliest days in the 1900s, it has grown from modest common rooms into one of the UK’s leading Students’ Unions, without losing what matters most: spirit.
Sheffield’s student community has always been driven by something bigger than buildings. It is independent, outspoken, and deeply rooted in belonging. Across generations, through moments of challenge and change, the Students’ Union has stood strong and remained a constant for thousands of Sheffield students.
The early days
That Sheffield spirit first took shape in 1906, when students elected a Student Representative Council to speak on their behalf. There was no dedicated space, just a growing sense that students should have a voice and a place of their own.
By 1936, that vision became reality, when a purpose-built Students’ Union opened its doors, made possible by a £30,000 gift from philanthropist J.G. Graves. For the first time, students had a shared home. A space where societies, ideas, and communities could thrive.
J.G. Graves
J.G. Graves
But the Union has never stood still. It has adapted to every generation. Shaped by war, social change, political movements and cultural shifts, the SU has remained unmistakably Sheffield at its core.
In the decades that followed, it became a space for everything: new societies, late-night conversations, live music, and moments of protest that echoed far beyond campus. Whether hosting world-famous artists, supporting students through times of change, or campaigning on issues that matter, the Union has always been led by its members.
Today, it stands not just as a building, but as a defining part of the Sheffield experience, consistently recognised as one of the best student unions in the UK. And while the spaces may have evolved, the Sheffield spirit that built it remains as strong as ever.
Defining moments
1893
The student press
Although predating the creation of the SU, the first student newspapers It (1893) and Floreamus (1897) began at Firth College. After the official opening of the University in 1905, the publication was produced by the Student Representative Council.
Floreamus continued being published until 1928, and was then replaced by Arrows in 1929. Since then, it’s been known as Darts (1940s-1997), Steel Press (1997-2008), and today is published as Forge Press.
1967
An international community
The University of Sheffield has a long tradition of welcoming students from across the globe. By the 1950s, the number of international students had grown significantly, leading to the creation of the Overseas Students Bureau in 1967.
This group was essential in providing a support network, helping students settle into life in Sheffield, and fostering a multicultural environment within the Union.
1985
Politics and protest
The rise in student activism saw sit-ins, protests, and national campaigning.
In early 1985, students held a Support the Miners Week of Action. The goal of the week was to increase the SU’s financial and physical commitment to the National Union of Mineworkers, and spread awareness among University students. Student voices were louder than ever.
1997
Unforgettable nights out
Sheffield’s Students’ Union has hosted bands in the Lower Refectory for more than 50 years. 1997 saw 11 concerts held in the venue, with performances from Placebo, Foo Fighters, and Fun Lovin’ Criminals.
Nights out have continued to be a big part of the University experience for many generations.
2011
A greener future
Social action and sustainability continue to shape the voice of the Union, with a student referendum successfully stopping the sale of plastic water bottles in all Union outlets. Instead, free water fountains can be found all over campus to encourage the use of reusable water bottles.
Did you know?
- Seat cushions were borrowed from Sheffield Wednesday Football Club for the 1971 Led Zeppelin concert in the lower refectory.
- Sheffield SU has been voted UK #1 for over a decade in the National Student Survey.
- The SU has 370 different societies and more than 50 sports clubs - including a Beekeeping Society, Parkour club and even a Bad Film Society.
Your SU memories
“An essential pre-tea ritual in the mid-60s was for students to cram into the small TV room in the Link Building of the Union at 5.50pm to watch five minutes of Magic Roundabout. A cult following. Once it finished the room emptied before the BBC news came on!”
Cliff Bray, BSc Biochemistry 1967
“I’m so proud to be a part of this organisation. It’s provided me with many opportunities and happy memories. My favourite has to be volunteering as a student, teaching kids of all ages a sport I am passionate about, and sharing that love with others.”
Anna James, BA Geography 2025
“Climb on a bus and for 10p you could head over to the Students’ Union to go and see local bands Vice Versa, The Human League, or Cabaret Voltaire. It was incredible and something that influenced me for the rest of my life.”
Martin Fry, BA English Literature 1979, Hon LittD 2012
Music is a right
Co-designing the future of dementia care
By reimagining music technology through the eyes of those living with dementia, Dr Jennifer MacRitchie and the University of Sheffield are proving that innovation is most powerful when it’s built ‘with’ people, not ‘for’ them.
For the 57 million people living with dementia globally, music is often categorised as ‘therapy’. But Senior Research Fellow Dr Jennifer MacRitchie, argues it’s something more fundamental: a human right.
As the global population of those with dementia is set to triple by 2050, the need for accessible, meaningful ways to engage in arts and culture has never been more urgent.
Too often, traditional assistive technologies fail because they’re not designed with the cognitive or physical realities of dementia in mind. They can also feel ‘childlike’ or require professional supervision, undermining the user’s maturity and acumen.
Dr MacRitchie is challenging these conventional schemes by creating devices that put music-making directly into the hands of dementia patients. With a background in electrical engineering, music, and cognitive science, her work has a strong focus on co-design, embedding lived experience into every stage of the development process.
Over the last five years, the project has explored a variety of ways to connect with people living with dementia. MacRitchie and colleagues have partnered with local residential homes, testing how new devices might be used in a real world setting.
“People living with dementia have a right to take part in things they enjoy.”
Flipping the hierarchy
The success of these individual devices has blossomed into a national initiative: the BRIDGES for Dementia Network+. Led by the University of Sheffield and backed by £1.97 million in UKRI funding, this network connects researchers, innovators, charities, and local authorities across the UK.
The goal of BRIDGES is to rethink the entire ‘ecosystem’ of dementia support. Post-diagnosis, this can be inconsistent. But by embedding lived experience into the design of sports, arts, and culture, the network aims to help people live independently, ‘on their own terms’.
One of the most impressive aspects of BRIDGES is its early career training programme. In a flip of traditional educational hierarchy, people living with dementia deliver masterclasses to researchers. This ensures the next generation of innovators understands that dementia is not a monolith. It encompasses over 100 different diseases, each with unique symptoms and experiences.
“We have a lot of people who are committed to co-design and co-production. But it’s not just the University. Our community partners and the supportive network in Sheffield are equally important. Together, they bring a huge strength in developing innovative ways to support people living with dementia” explains Dr MacRitchie.
“Sheffield has a strong reputation in music psychology, supported by a culture of innovation that allows new technologies to be developed and applied in the real-world.”
Blueprint for inclusivity
The devices developed by the team, such as the Slider Box, are designed to be immediately accessible yet creatively deep. This “easy-to-start, harder-to-master” approach ensures the technology remains engaging and rewarding over time.
Users produce beautiful, harmonious sounds from the first touch, removing the frustration of ‘learning’ an instrument. As they become more comfortable, they can explore layers of tempo and texture, allowing for sophisticated personal expression. The audio output is rich and professional rather than ‘toylike’, respecting the user’s adult identity and musical tastes.
Since 2021, this work has improved care for approximately 1,000 people. But the impact doesn’t stop at the bedside or the community centre. Dr MacRitchie’s team recently hosted an industry round-table with leaders from broadcasting and retail, forming the Music Made Easy Taskforce to drive sector-wide change.
The ultimate goal is a world where musical interaction is accessible to everyone, regardless of a diagnosis. By moving beyond a clinical checklist of symptoms to instead appreciate the full lived experience of dementia, this research is creating a blueprint for a more inclusive future.
Tips for helping people with dementia enjoy music and music-making
Dr MacRitchie gives her advice
1.
Let them
lead
Prioritise agency by letting the individual take control. Whether it’s choosing the playlist or controlling the volume, let their personal taste shine through.
2.
Note the
mood
One day might be perfect for performing, while another requires quiet listening. A little encouragement can go a long way but respect their boundaries to learn what triggers joy versus overwhelm.
3.
Shared
connection
Music can create meaningful moments when it’s shared. Build connection by exploring your tastes and shared history through song. Attend events together, or try out new instruments in a group.
The art of the professional pivot
The Sheffield alumni proving it's never too late to start over
There’s a specific tension that arises when you realise the career you chose in your early twenties no longer feels quite right. Whether your interests have changed, the industry has shifted, or you simply crave a new challenge, the prospect of ‘starting over’ can feel daunting.
At Sheffield, however, we see it differently: it’s not a restart, it’s a reset. These are the stories of three alumni who took the leap and pivoted from their professional ‘known’ into fulfilling new lives. Their experiences show that charting a different course through postgraduate study can be the best decision you’ll ever make.
Stepping off the ladder
After seven years in retail supply chain management, Robyn Mitchell hit a wall. The day-to-day rhythm of corporate life had become a source of unrest, leading her to question: "Is this it?"
A career break to study an MA in Psychology and Education at Sheffield was the circuit-breaker Robyn needed, a move she describes through a powerful metaphor.
“It was like I had dropped an ornate clay vase — my life — and it shattered,” she recalls. “The masters gave me a year to look at the pieces and decide which parts I wanted to pick up and which I would leave behind.”
Gradually, her initial anxiety about stepping off the expected path was replaced by a sense of liberation. “The unknown is no longer scary,” Robyn reflects. “In fact, it’s far more exciting than the restricted scope of a corporate role.”
This personal growth was encouraged by a supportive community of peers and tutors who took a genuine interest in her development. “It felt like my resilience grew tenfold overnight,” she explains. With newfound confidence, Robyn is now heading into the world of academic research indefinitely.
And although returning to study wasn’t part of her original plan, she has no regrets: “I feel very lucky that this is the way it has gone.”
New industry, new perspective
Ahsan Jadoon had spent years advising global energy giants on digital transformation. Ready for a change, he worried his previous experience would be redundant; the Sheffield MBA eased that transition.
“I assumed the MBA’s job was to replace my ‘irrelevant’ history with new content,” Ahsan admits. “Instead, it provided a framework to build upon the expertise I already had.”
This evolution was bolstered by a profound sense of place. “Moving my entire life into one suitcase to a different country took courage, but Sheffield felt like home straight away,” he recalls. “The people felt like family, I had the Peaks on my doorstep, and it gave me the kind of grounding you can’t put on a CV.”
Two years on, Ahsan is thriving in the finance sector, progressing from Risk & Compliance to a new Product Manager position. He maintains that the MBA didn’t just redefine his work, but gave him a whole new perspective.
“In my previous career, confidence came from technical depth,” he explains. “Now, I’ve moved from asking ‘what is the answer?’ to ‘what is the right way to approach this decision?’ It’s really changed how I see myself both professionally and personally.”
Levelling up a life in sport
For Janet Vickers, a new start in mid-life wasn’t about leaving her passion behind; it was about elevating it. After 24 years as a PE teacher, a turning point arrived when her school was destroyed by fire. Ready for a fresh challenge, Janet embarked on an MSc at Sheffield to bridge the gap between practice and theory.
“I was keen to refine my pedagogy to become a more effective leader,” she explains.
The master's degree enabled Janet to transition from the school gym to the university lecture theatre. In her new career, Janet became a leading academic in sport coaching, co-designing flagship degrees that have fundamentally shaped how the next generation of coaches are trained.
The move transformed Janet’s life beyond the workplace. With the flexibility and resources to “train smarter,” she competed at national and Commonwealth levels in rowing and cycling. Now retired from academia, she remains a powerhouse in the sporting community — training daily, competing regularly, and coaching and serving as Director for Sheffield Rowing Club at Damflask Reservoir.
Looking back, Janet credits her MSc as the catalyst for a 'dream lifestyle with dream work opportunities', “Being awarded Coach of the Year in 2024 was a highlight. But seeing my students succeed globally — that’s the real legacy.”
Robyn Mitchell swapped an unfulfilling corporate role for a career in academia
Robyn Mitchell swapped an unfulfilling corporate role for a career in academia
Ahsan Jadoon confidently pivoted from the energy sector to finance after taking on the Sheffield MBA
Ahsan Jadoon confidently pivoted from the energy sector to finance after taking on the Sheffield MBA
Janet Vickers progressed from teaching PE in schools to becoming a leading figure in sport coaching
Janet Vickers progressed from teaching PE in schools to becoming a leading figure in sport coaching
Ready for your own second act?
If these stories have inspired you, we’re here to help you navigate your own return to study. As a Sheffield graduate, you’ll benefit from an exclusive alumni discount to reduce tuition fees.
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