Florence Espeut-Nickless, an award-winning writer and actor from Chippenham, Wiltshire, has built a reputation for bringing untold stories to the stage. Growing up on a council estate, she rarely saw her world reflected in the arts—a gap she has passionately filled with Destiny. This play immerses audiences in the gritty realities of a young woman navigating life on a rural estate, a character Florence describes as a blend of the women she’s “grown up with and love,” capturing the complexity, dreams, and resilience of working-class life. Destiny navigates a world where every attempt at happiness and betterment is thwarted by forces beyond her control, with society quick to dismiss girls like her as “victims” of their own making.
Florence’s own journey into the arts was undeniably tricky. Drama school, where she was urged to conform to middle-class norms if she wanted success, only deepened her resolve to reclaim her identity through her work. “I was told to get rid of my accent, to change how I dressed, how I spoke… everything about me felt like it had to be stripped away,” she recalls. This push to erase her roots became the driving force behind Destiny, a play that unapologetically celebrates voices like hers. In an industry where, as playwright James Graham recently highlighted, only 8% of those working in television come from a working-class background, Florence’s mission to amplify these voices is not just vital—it’s urgent.
Florence makes a special effort to include people from communities like the one she (and Destiny) grew up in, ensuring they have the opportunity to see her production. For many, it’s their first time in a theatre, and seeing their experiences represented on stage can be life-changing. “When they see themselves up there, it’s like a lightbulb moment—suddenly, theatre and the arts become something they can see themselves being a part of,” she explains. This connection, Florence believes, can offer a path into the arts that was previously unthought of, opening up new possibilities for those who might never have considered such a future.
Performing Destiny as a one-woman show for four years has been both a creative triumph and a personal test. “It’s really, really intense. I was in therapy the whole time writing it…and the whole time touring it,” Florence admits. The emotional and physical toll is undeniable, but so is the play’s power. Despite its heavy themes, Florence has infused the narrative with humour and warmth. “Holding space for all these emotions—anger, pain, but also joy and laughter—is essential for processing and healing,” she explains. The impact of the play is evident in the responses she receives after performances. “Women often come up to me after the show, sometimes sharing their own stories for the first time. That’s when you realise the power of what you’ve created.”
Collaboration has been crucial in bringing Destiny to life. Working with director Jesse Jones, (founding member of Wardrobe Ensemble and Artistic Director of Royal and Derngate), who shares her working-class background, added layers of authenticity to the production. “Jesse is incredibly smart and understands people and why they do certain things,” Florence notes, praising his skill in guiding complex characters without judgement. Having male collaborators like Jesse was particularly valuable in exploring the gender politics at the heart of Destiny. “It was really useful for the show to have his perspective,” Florence says, appreciating the richness that diverse viewpoints brought to the table.
As Destiny continues its tour, Florence is expanding her horizons. Among other projects, she’s written a pilot for a television adaptation of Destiny, supported by Wild Child & Dancing Ledge, and is developing a new play for Bristol Old Vic titled Blinded By Your Grace. She’s also collaborating with Restoke on a new show that engages young people in Stoke-on-Trent in the creative process. Looking ahead to Christmas, Florence will be the writer in the room for Bristol Old Vic’s festive production, Little Red. “I’m excited about creating something that might be a child’s first experience of theatre,” she says, keen to inspire the next generation.
Florence’s commitment to the arts goes beyond her own work. She’s a fierce advocate for long-term investment in grassroots organisations and artists from underrepresented communities. “We need more funding, more resources… it’s about making these spaces feel like they belong to everyone, not just the few,” she argues. For her, true inclusivity isn’t just about diversifying the stories on stage but about creating environments where those stories can thrive. “It’s about supporting the people who are already embedded in these communities, not just sweeping in for a project and then leaving,” she emphasises.
Through Destiny and her growing body of work, Florence Espeut-Nickless is not just telling stories—she’s challenging the structures that have historically silenced them. Her work represents a necessary shift in an industry that often overlooks voices like hers. For those eager to see Destiny, the play will be at The Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol from the 10th to 14th of September 2024. This performance is a chance to engage with a truly powerful story that speaks directly to the heart of contemporary Britain.
Tilly Marshall, 3 September 2024
Read StageTalk’s review of Destiny when first performed at Tobacco Factory Theatres, 2021 here:
https://stagetalkmagazine.com/p/22450
Photography credit: Paul Blakemore
