'I had to fend for myself with my mum and dad in prison'

Writer Kerry Wright used her own life experiences as inspiration for her debut play Kailey

At just 17, Kerry Wright was left to fend for herself after both her parents were sent to jail for growing cannabis.

The Bradford-based writer has used her experiences from that turbulent time as the inspiration for her first play, Kailey.

The comedy drama follows the title character as she struggles to make ends meet without her mum.

The play is being premiered at the city's Loading Bay pop-up theatre later as part of the City of Culture year, before a short run across the North, including visits to Leeds and Wakefield.

Kerry, now 29, hopes it will not only entertain audiences but also shine a light on the plight of young people in a similar predicament.

She says: "Kailey is a comedy drama that explores the life of Kailey who's 18, her mum's in prison and she is trying to navigate life alone.

"When I was 17 both of my parents were in prison and as a direct result of that I had to drop out of school.

"I had to leave the family home and it was just a really hard time."

Kerry Wright (left) with actor Hannah Mullen, who plays the title character Kailey in her play

Kerry, who is originally from Kent, went to live with some other family members at first but "that did not work out".

She then had to sofa-surf with friends, or "anyone who would take me", all the while trying to study for her A-levels and keep afloat financially.

Eventually the mother of her best friend, Olivia, took her under her wing and gave her the stability she craved.

Kerry went on to study English at university and then a master's in writing for performance at the University of Leeds.

After meeting her boyfriend, comedian Alex Dunlop, she moved to Bradford which is where she came up with the idea for her first play.

She says: "I noticed that quite often in media, in plays, films, shows, they explore what it's like to be in prison, which is so valid.

"But it very rarely... very rarely do you see what it is like for young people or families on the outside.

"So that's why I wanted to write it (the play) to explore my own experiences and to reclaim that narrative.

"But also to shine a light on young people of today who are currently going through it, because there are thousands of them."

Kailey will launch at the Loading Bay on 12 and 13 September, before visiting Blackpool, Hull, Scarborough, York, Barnsley, Leeds and Wakefield.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.