Why it matters: Wright unpacks deeply personal questions about adoption, belonging and identity through a captivating hour of poetry and stand-up that explores the complexities of family in modern Britain.
The details: The show, part of a UK tour, tells the true story of Wright's adoption, delving into questions many adoptees face: What is it like to stumble across your birth mother on Facebook? How do you honour the parents who raised you while satisfying curiosity about where you came from?
Wright said: "Later Life Letter grew out of a need to understand where I came from, and why the idea of belonging still preoccupies me well into middle age. I've always known I was adopted, but only recently started to explore what that really means — not just for me, but for anyone trying to piece together a sense of self from incomplete stories."
He added: "The show blends poetry, memoir, and stand-up to tell a story about family, privilege, and love in modern Britain. It's about how we edit our pasts to make our presents bearable — and what happens when the old stories no longer fit."
The bigger picture: Recognised for his blistering live performances and heartfelt writing, Wright has toured internationally, supported John Cooper Clarke, and MC'd for The Libertines. A regular voice on BBC Radio 4, his writing and performance have earned him a Fringe First, a Stage Award, and the 2021 Saboteur Spoken Word Artist of the Year.
His work delves into themes of family, politics and modern masculinity.
What the critics say: The Telegraph awarded Wright five stars, praising his "streetwise panache and a sardonic comic verve to rival Stewart Lee". The Stage described him as being "at the peak of his powers" with "honesty, humour, ire and wonder", whilst The List said: "His poems shoot arrows through the heart, or leave you dazzled by their virtuosity."
What's next: Later Life Letter will also be published by Little, Brown Book Group as a full memoir in poetry.
The show runs for 60 minutes and is suitable for ages 14 and above. The performance starts at 19:00 on Thursday, 26 February.
