Hi! I’m Florence.
I grew up on a council estate in Chippenham in the noughties. My show DESTINY is heavily inspired by mine and my mate’s experiences in that place and time,
By the challenges we faced
The systems we had to fight against
The dreams we lost
And the ones we desperately held onto.
It’s ultimately a celebration of working class resilience, drive and determination, of fighting against our destiny and reaching for the mf stars!
I am asking for your support so that I can take DESTINY to the Edinburgh Fringe, which is an amazing place to get plays seen by audiences and industry people, but somewhere that is mad expensive, especially for working class artists.
The journey so far
DESTINY is my debut play. It follows the story of a teenage girl growing up on a rural Wiltshire council estate in the noughties. Here’s some copy we use to talk about the show:
“Destiny dreams big. She dreams glamour. She’s gonna be an MTV Base backing dancer, you watch. If J-Lo can make it outta the Bronx then Destiny can make it off the Hill Rise estate in Chippenham. She’s fearless, ferocious and up for the fight (she’s had to be). Born below the breadline, she’s desperate to see beyond the neighbourhood and find hope in hopelessness. After a big night out takes a turn for the worse, Destiny’s life spirals out of control as she desperately tries to learn how to love and be loved.”
It was a recipient of the 2021 National Partnerships Award with Pleasance Theatre and Bristol Old Vic FERMENT. It toured last summer, opening at Tobacco Factory Theatres, followed by a Southwest tour and a short run at Pleasance London (including an online on demand version).
The shows now been programmed at the Underbelly at Edinburgh Fringe, one of the festivals leading, most exciting venues. AND has just been listed in the top 20 unmissable fringe shows by The Guardian:
Why Edinburgh Fringe?
The next step for me is to get the show in front of a wider audience. The Edinburgh Fringe runs for the whole of August and attracts audiences from across the UK, Europe, the world! It is also a place where programmers, producers, venues and TV commissioners come to scope out new talent and I want to get DESTINY on their radar. Hosting myself, lighting designer/production manager Jenny and Producer Tom in Edinburgh for the month is super expensive - our Airbnb alone has cost almost £7,000!! Adding in registration and venue hire fees, travel, marketing costs, press support, insurance… it racks up to about £25,000!
The incredible Strike A Light have generously given us £3000 funding plus loads of amazing advice and support, which we’re proper grateful for. But we still need to raise the rest…
I am asking for your support so that me and the team can take this show up to the Fringe, which is prohibitively expensive for working class artists. I got into theatre after being excluded from secondary school and it became a much-needed creative outlet from a chaotic home and school life. This experience inspired me to write about and with working class communities in Southwest England in the hope of making the arts more accessible to everyone, regardless of background and geographical location. Taking this show to the Fringe feels like a HUGE part of my journey and I would love you to be a part of it by donating towards the show’s budget.
Big big thanks!
Florence xx
P.S. I know you might be thinking this… Is the show any good?
(I had to get my Producer to write this bit!) Yes! Flo was selected to be Pentabus Theatre’s CRF Writer in Residence, after them reading an early draft and was signed by leading literary agency Curtis Brown off the back of the 2021 tour! DESTINY was selected for Bristol Old Vic’s Open Session call out and shortlisted for Theatre West’s Write On Women Award. And, to be fair, it has also received glowing reviews across the board from critics and audiences.
★★★★ “Captivatingly told in the West Country vernacular of Destiny’s community. With endearing personality, she does them proud.” – The Guardian
★★★★ “It is a magnificent piece of acting and writing. Political and social theatre at its very best.” – Stage Talk Magazine
“Easy to recommend. This voice, literally – isn’t one that we hear on stage.” – Once A Week Theatre
“Florence is precisely the kind of artist who should be championed. Her voice is raw and wholly original. DESTINY is a story that needs to be supported and told. It has the energy and authenticity of an express train. It knows its territory and transcends it with wit, honesty and bravery.” (Tim Crouch)
Audience responses:
“DESTINY is off the chain – if you haven’t got tickets to see it, do everything in your power to grab one because this woman’s talent is INCREDIBLE”
“The realest deal. A new voice like fresh paint.”
“Insane talent. Hits all the emotions. A must watch. Beyond brilliant.”
“Bloody ace. A really visceral tale, and a brilliant, genuine insight into life in the South West; the kind of voice I wish was represented on stage much more.”
“Was amazing to be able to take my 15 year old daughter to DESTINY tonight. So important to hear real voices in theatre. Can’t recommend highly enough.”
“Now THAT is what we call a one woman show!!!! The talent, the nostalgia, the bravery!”
“Too many emotions from DESTINY last night. Tears, laughter, anger, love, joy, fear…this talented woman captured the essence of so many levels to life.”
We strongly feel that Destiny’s story deserves to be heard on this platform, the worlds biggest arts festival.
If you can, we hope you’ll help us make that a reality. And every little (or big) bit of cash really does help.
Massive thanks for reading, caring, supporting Destiny’s journey.
Love
Flo & the team xxx