Winning best newcomer and being nominated for the best actor award in your debut play is no easy feat; however this was the case for Salford-based playwright Joe Henry.

The 22-year-old, who also recently graduated from the University of Salford, performed his play ‘Cock Therapy’ over two nights at the Salford Arts Theatre in September, part of the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival.

The play is a tragic-comedy set during the therapy session of a sex addict Roz (played by Henry), and contains just him and his therapist (played by Nicholas Eccles) throughout the show.

“I came up with the idea during lockdown”, Henry explains, “Originally I was going to write a pilot script for TV for it, but then thought a good place to start would be theatre”.

The play shines a light on issues faced with the LGBTQ+ community, including sexual assault and manipulation.

“It was inspired by both mine and my friends’ lives, I felt it was a story that I needed to tell and I had the opportunity to tell it so I grabbed it with both hands”.

For Henry, a love for acting and writing started at an early age.

“I’ve been interested in acting ever since I got made to go to drama classes when I was about 5.

“And then creative writing in English lessons really helped me to understand that I’d like to write for TV, film and the stage”.

Fast forward a few years and all the graft Henry has put into his passion has paid off, as he was awarded with best newcomer and nominated for best actor by the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, as well as earning a four star review from BBC Journalist Peter Ruddick.

Speaking about the recognition with a wry smile, Henry says “I didn’t expect to be nominated, never mind win an award, but it was amazing especially up against some of the people, because I saw some of the other plays and there was a lot of really good work.

“To win best newcomer it made me feel like I had done something good” he jokes, “and that this whole year hadn’t been a waste of my energy”.

Looking to the future Henry isn’t resting on his laurels, and is determined to continue the momentum he has gathered in 2021, with Edinburgh Fringe Festival in his sights.

“I’m currently writing another play, and going to try and carry on with Cock Therapy, and maybe Edinburgh Fringe next year.

“Hopefully it might tour at some point, and I’m in the process of writing a short film based on Cock Therapy as well”.

You can keep up to date with Cock Therapy on their Twitter

Image credits: Joe Henry

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