Overview
- Lucas told Romesh Ranganathan on BBC Radio 2 that he is autistic and that this was the first time he had spoken about the diagnosis publicly.
- He described switching between intense sociability while performing and long periods of solitude to 'recharge,' and he did not say when he was diagnosed.
- Lucas explained how he manages his work schedule by resting his voice and avoiding social contact on days off to recover from six-day theatre weeks.
- Coverage links the disclosure to his active career, noting he is writing a third novel aimed at adults, has plans for a fourth, will appear in Matthew Bourne’s Oliver! at the Gielgud Theatre, and has been reported to be set for Channel 4’s Taskmaster.
- Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects social communication and sensory processing according to NHS guidance, and Lucas’s openness highlights how performers may plan routines and supports to manage the demands of live work.