REAL-LIFE experiences of women who were welcomed onto Canterbury estate after marrying Pakistani men have inspired a powerful new play.

Full English, which will be performed on the estate this summer, stars Bradford actor Natalie Davies and explores the story of her grandmother and the legacy of growing up in a mixed race family.

The play, produced by Bradford-based Bent Architect, will be created in three different ways - a studio theatre piece at Bradford arts centre Kala Sangam, an outdoor performance on Canterbury estate, and an interactive digital production.

Producer Jude Wright said: “Full English tells the story of the women of Canterbury Estate - white British girls from the 1960s who married Pakistani men and brought up mixed race children. Driven out by their families and shunned by their husband’s community, where did they belong?

"They found their place on Canterbury Estate, after being shunned by their families elsewhere."

Featuring music, dance and storytelling, the play is told through the eyes of Natalie Davies, an Associate Artist at Bent Architect, and looks at how her grandmother “overcame the odds to find her place in Bradford - because, let’s face it, who is full English anyway?”

Each of the three performances, due to take place in June and July, will give a different view of the story. Audiences are invited to see just one or all three versions.

Natalie, who appeared in the recent lockdown episodes of BBC1’s The Vicar of Dibley, said: “It’s a big step for me, and a huge learning experience, but it’s really exciting. Even though this is the story of my Nan, who lived on the Canterbury estate where I grew up, it’s also a story about identity and finding my own place. And it’s vital that I understand this now, as my story will be the most important thing I can pass on to my daughter.”

As Bent Architect, Jude Wright and Mick Martin create “original shows which give voice to the voiceless”.

Said Jude: “Full English will be a celebration - a collision of cultures, melding music, dance and storytelling to create a dynamic and exhilarating journey rooted in Bradford.

“It’s not rose tinted. The women we are celebrating have faced challenges and prejudice head on, and had to watch their children - and grandchildren - do the same. But throughout that journey, they have loved and laughed, danced and dodged, and ultimately found their place and voice here, in Bradford - where else?”

The project is being supported by a grant from Arts Council, England, a Make Work Grant from Bradford Producing Hub and support from Bradford Council and Kala Sangam.