Fresh from an acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, DESTINY by Florence Espeut-Nickless (The Odyssey, National Theatre Public Arts programme) now embarks on a UK tour.
Written and performed by Espeut-Nickless’, the monologue follows the story of a teenage girl growing up on a rural council estate. After a big night out takes a turn for the worst, Destiny’s life spirals out of control as she desperately tries to learn how to love and be loved.
Directed by Jesse Jones, founding member of award-winning company The Wardrobe Ensemble with dramaturgical support from Obie-award winning writer, director, performer and theatre-maker, Tim Crouch, the show explores hard-hitting themes of sexual abuse and misuse of power.
With a pumping RnB playlist and dry West Country wit, DESTINY tells a powerful story in an emotional and striking way made more intense for the vulnerability of Espeut-Nickless’ storytelling. 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.
Florence Espeut-Nickless comments, I grew up on a council estate in Chippenham in the noughties. DESTINY is 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!
DESTINY was a recipient of The Pleasance’s 2021 National Partnerships Award with Bristol Old Vic FERMENT and was shortlisted for Theatre West’s Write On Women Award. It has been developed with support from Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol Old Vic FERMENT, Pound Arts, Strike a Light, The Pleasance, Tim Crouch, Wiltshire Creative, Natural Theatre, Paper Arts, Theatre Bristol, Hawkwood College, Gane Trust, Pentabus and Wild Child.
DESTINY Tour Dates
22nd September The Egg, Bath Theatre Royal Post show talk hosted by Laura Knight
24th September Trowbridge Town Hall
29th September Robinswood School, Gloucester
1st October Lighthouse, Poole
5th October The Place, Bedford
7th – 8th October Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
13th October Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford
18th October Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
20th October Brewery Arts, Kendal
22nd October Slung Low, Leeds
25th October Harrogate Theatre
27th October Croscombe Village Hall, Somerset
29th October The Dukes, Lancaster
31st October Theatre By The Lake, Keswick
2nd – 3rd November The Point, Eastleigh
6th November Tolmen Centre, Cornwall
7th November Aberystwyth Arts Centre
11th – 12th November Theatre Royal Plymouth
15th November Mercury, Colchester
17th November Holyrood Academy, Chard
