Kailey: Chatting with Kerry Wright

Kerry Wright is a playwright, producer and facilitator based in Bradford. She explores contemporary social and political topics through her work and is passionate about devising theatre with working-class communities and young people. Her play Kailey comes to the SJT in September.

• Can you tell us a little bit about Kailey?

Kailey is a comedy drama that follows 18-year-old Kailey as she tries to figure life out while her mum is in prison. It’s her first taste of real independence, navigating a new job, applying to uni, and messy nights out with her best friend, Beth, until things start to spiral. Honest and full of heart, the show asks: ‘Who looks after you when your parent is in prison?’

• Where did the idea come from, and why did you want to tell this particular story?

The idea has been in development for over five years, and I wanted to tell this particular story as Kailey’s story is inspired by my own. When I was a teenager, both of my parents were in prison, and as a direct result I had to leave the family home and leave college. I found myself in a no-man’s-land of systems that couldn’t help me. It wasn’t until I started doing research for my play that I realised my story isn’t unique, and I wanted to shine a light on thousands of young people who are currently going through it.

• What inspired you to want to be a writer?

I have always been creative and constantly filled notepads with stories and poems as a kid. I would often rewrite film plots that lacked female representation and add myself as a character. My love for creative writing continued throughout my childhood, and I was lucky that I had a teacher in primary school who really encouraged me to write, too.

I went on to study English and American Literature with Creative Writing at the University of Kent and then Writing for Performance at the University of Leeds – I was the first person in my family to go to university. This was also the first time that I studied creative writing as a serious subject and I absolutely loved it. It opened a whole new world of literature that I did not know even existed. I then started writing plays, stories, and poems using my own experiences.

• Where does your interest in theatre and performance come from?

I never really considered it as an option. It wasn’t until a University tutor said my dialogue-heavy stories would be better as plays that it opened that world for me. So I do have him to thank. If it wasn’t for that comment, it wouldn’t have sparked that interest!

• What’s your earliest memory of going to the theatre and was there a memorable production that has stayed with you?

The first time I ever went to the theatre was when I was 12 years old. A friend from school invited me to join her and her family to see the local pantomime. I didn’t know what to expect but from the moment the lights went down, I was completely hooked. The energy was electric and the characters were larger than life. It was pure joy. That experience stayed with me for a long time. It was the first time I realised how powerful live performance could be, and how it could bring people together.

• What makes writing for the stage so appealing?

There’s an immediacy and intimacy that make every performance unique. There’s also something powerful about the limitations of the stage. Working within a confined space pushes you to be more creative with dialogue, character, and structure. It’s often all about the words, the performances, and the connection between the people in the room. Also I love how theatre invites honesty. It’s a place where complex, messy, funny, emotional stories can be told in bold and imaginative ways. That kind of storytelling is so appealing to me.

• What’s your favourite play, and why?

Currently my favourite play is Wasteland by Gary Clarke Company. I loved the way the story was told through the movement of the dancers and the use of music. The music was incredible and I still think about it often.

• What advice would you pass on to other young writers, or performers, just starting out?

My advice would be to take as many opportunities as possible, whether that’s a free workshop, a talk, or cheap shows, as you’ll never stop learning. Also chat to everyone, get to know people whether they are actors, producers, the barista in the theatre café – you never know where the conversation might lead to. Also, do take a break if you need one, I took four months off from developing Kailey and it was the best thing I ever did, as I came back so much more motivated and with a clearer sense of what I wanted to do.

• What do you hope audiences take away from watching your play?

I hope they leave thinking what a cracking night out they’ve had, but with questions and thoughts on how we can do better as a society for vulnerable young people.

You can see Kerry performing in Kailey on Sept 23 - get tickets online here, by calling the Box Office on 01723 370 541 or popping in next time you pass.