Never underestimate yourself. I never in a million years thought I would ever become a writer, mostly because I didn’t think I could. In my mind to be a writer you needed at least a degree in English Literature, read books off a Kindle, and be a champion at Scrabble. But before I knew it, the way I view text and my quirky writing style would lead to some of my best creative ideas yet.
As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Florence Lace-Evans.
Florence Lace-Evans trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama on the BA Acting (Musical Theatre) course. Nominated for the Spotlight Award in 2019 and graduating with First Class (hons), Florence has since worked across film and stage. Past credits include 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (Old Joint Stock Theatre), The Contract (Eve Entertainment) and House of Nemesis (Poison Tree Productions). Florence also features as a monthly host on the musical theatre podcast, Sunday On the Pod. Yes, We’re Related is Florence’s first dark comedy play, first debuting at the Edinburgh Fringe earlier this year, “Lace-Evans’ acting shines” (Broadway Baby), and was supported by SOHO Theatre in their Edinburgh Fringe Labs 2024.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in a quintessentially British village called Bramley, sadly not where the Bramley apples are from, just on the outskirts of Guildford — and I’d say growing up I was a very happy and free spirited kid. I was the kid who never brushed my hair, was always covered in mud from the playground, and I loved anything and everything creative. My favourite subjects were art, music and of course drama — and all the other subjects quite frankly felt like hard work. I remember so clearly being told before my exams that I wasn’t going to do very well in my academic subjects, and that my dyslexia would mean I would need a lot of extra help. So, I worked my socks off and proved to myself that if I put my mind to it, I could achieve whatever I set my mind to — which included surprising my maths teacher with an A*. However, I always knew deep down that I wanted to go to drama school, and spent anytime I could doing extra-curricular classes, including choir, school plays, band practice, and spending my Saturdays at Guildford School of Acting school doing dance and singing classes. I was very lucky and was accepted into the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London at the age of 18 — and since then I’ve never looked back!
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I would say a big part of me wanting to pursue an acting career was that I really look up to my mum. My mum went to Webber Douglas, a drama school in London, when she was younger, and she went on to be an actress for many years. She would regularly take me to theatre trips as a child, most of which were either Shakespeare or something on the West End. My favourite memory was when I was taken to see August: Osage County at the National when I was 10 years old… and putting the rude language aside, I remember being absolutely amazed at how they managed to fit an entire house on stage as the set for the production. I always knew that I would find my place in the industry eventually, mainly because I couldn’t picture a version of myself where I wasn’t!
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
In my second year at Central, we were rehearsing the Restoration play A Trip to Scarborough — and our lovely director Nickolas Grace (or Nicko as we called him) told us we were going to leave rehearsals early one day to pay someone a special visit. After leaving Central, we walked 10 minutes up the road, and arrived at this incredibly house just off Primrose Hill. Once we arrived, we were shortly ushered into this big living room, with lots of friendly looking faces waiting for us. We were told to wait, and that someone very special was coming home soon. Then, out of nowhere comes in Gillian Lynne! Nicko had brought us to Gillian Lynne’s house to sing her Happy Birthday! After a rather dodgy rendition of Happy Birthday, we all begged to have a picture with her. For me, that will always be such a surreal and special memory for me.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
My comedy play Yes, We’re Related is by far the most exciting project I am currently working on right now. Not only because it’s the first play I have ever written, but also because it’s safe to say it is my baby. I’m so proud of what it’s achieved, and that I’ve managed to take it to the Edinburgh Fringe and now the Other Palace Theatre in London. It is really special as it feels like the first time since graduating that I’ve had a chance to drive my career with something I have created. Saying this, I may also have a few other exciting projects stewing away in the background… so stayed tuned!
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Alongside performing, I actually teach fitness classes as my part-time job — which along with keeping me fit and keeping me centred, has surprisingly introduced me to some really interesting people along the way. One in particular was this self-made business woman, who is actually the CEO of a hedge fund company in London, and is also a major advocate for women in business and women-led teams. Prior to Edinburgh Fringe, she had a lot of interest in what I was doing, especially the business side of taking a production to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which was originally an area I was not familiar with. It really forced me to look at theatre in an operational way, and look for the gaps in an already crowded industry. It drove me to consider how few women-led theatre companies are out there, and it opened my eyes to opportunities you can make for others and yourself. This was one of the reasons why I created my own production company, and made sure that my creative team around me were women-led. The biggest piece of advice she gave me, was that you cannot always achieve things on your own, and that you need a team around you that support you and you support them.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you share a story about that?
I love British comedy. Whether that’s a comedy play, or the latest Channel 4/BBC comedy series. During my time at drama school, I felt like there was a real rise of women in comedy. Not to sound cliché, but obviously Phoebe Waller-Bridges Fleabag had a big impact on how I viewed women in theatre and comedy. I became obsessed with how she wrote comedy — and I remember when the series first came out I would sometimes re-watch the same episode in the same night because I loved the storyline so much. It also didn’t help that my acting teacher in drama school told me that I reminded him of the character of ‘Fleabag’ — which I took as a HUGE compliment. But I also love comedy that has a really dry humour — especially series like Jamie Demetriou’s Stath Lets Flats, Daisy May Cooper’s This Country, and anything by Greg Davies.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I remember attending an acting workshop once, and a casting director saying “make sure that if you ever climb the ladder, you leave space for someone behind you”. I think with the industry being so competitive, I have learnt to really celebrate others successes.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- Take the pressure off. I think when I first went to drama school I put way too much pressure on myself, and wanted to be perfect at everything. During my time there I had to learn to fail — and how to learn from my failure. Also, I think that by taking the pressure off, and enjoying what I’m doing, I actually achieve my best work.
- When the going gets tough, prepare for it to get tougher. No one can prepare you enough for how many rejections you will get as an actor, and it is so painful. I remember my first ever drama school audition, I was 17 years old and it was for Guildhall. On the day of my audition, they told me I hadn’t got into the next round, and I was absolutely devastated — and I remember running over to my parents in the Barbican Theatre and telling them “maybe I’m not meant to be an actress”. But oddly enough you learn very quickly how to pick yourself up, and brush yourself off — and eventually out of no-where you will get someone turning around and saying yes — and that yes is the best feeling in the world.
- Take time off. I can’t tell you how easy it is for a freelancer to not take time off. When I first graduated from Drama School, I was so worried about being able to afford living in London. I panicked and I worked three part-time jobs — which now I think about was insane! I was so anxious and tired, and it wasn’t until Covid when everyone was forced to stop that I realised I was running on empty. I needed that time off, and when I moved back to London I became a lot more in tune with giving myself and when I needed time to rest.
- Keep learning. One of the biggest pieces of advice I could give anyone leaving drama school, is keep learning. I remember one of my acting teachers in first year of Drama School saying “your acting career is for the rest of your life”. Now, at the time I wasn’t entirely sure what she meant — but as my career has started to take off, I really enjoy learning new skills, especially as most of the time they teach me more about myself.
- Never underestimate yourself. I never in a million years thought I would ever become a writer, mostly because I didn’t think I could. In my mind to be a writer you needed at least a degree in English Literature, read books off a Kindle, and be a champion at Scrabble. But before I knew it, the way I view text and my quirky writing style would lead to some of my best creative ideas yet.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Don’t be afraid to use your voice. I think for years I told myself my opinions didn’t matter, my writing wasn’t funny enough, and that my voice wouldn’t matter until I did something ‘big’ with my career. I think it is so important, especially for young performers out there who are trying to start their career, to realise that you are in the driving seat, and that you don’t need to ask permission to use your voice in the industry.
We have been blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
RuPaul. Hands down one of my favourite TV shows is US Drag Race, and when it came over to the UK I cannot tell you how excited I was — combining British culture, with the Queen of drag — what’s not to love! Going to Edinburgh Fringe this year I was lucky enough to meet some of the UK Drag Queens from series 5, and let’s just say I was a little star-struck… I love everything Ru Paul represents, and she is an icon. I’m also extremely jealous of her hair and makeup, so would love to get all her tips and tricks over a pot of tea. Also, I cannot tell you how much I live by, “if you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else” — can I get an AMEN!
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
Instagram @flo_laceevans or the official Yes, We’re Related Instagram @yes.related
Twitter @evanslace or the official Yes, We’re Related Twitter @yes_related
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Florence Lace-Evans: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.