June 2023
Writer and Director Craig Henry is bringing new work to the Camden Fringe this year with the comedy-drama “Assessment Centre”. The show, exploring how far we can be pushed and our relationship with the inevitable, will play at Etcetera Theatre on 8th, 12th and 13th August. Here, Craig chats about the show, his return to theatre and the changes he’d like to see in the industry…
So tell me a bit about Assessment Centre.
Assessment Centre is a brand new play. The show sees two people arriving at an assessment centre for a new job. Through a series of tasks, both are pushed to their limits to find out how far would they go to beat the competition and land a new job. This is my first play after a nine year break from theatre and I could not be more excited to share my work.
And what was it that made you want to return to theatre?
The need to water my creative garden has never disappeared, but other things in my life have pulled me from the flame. I have worked on other creative projects such as a podcast and writing a book, but it was always going to lead back here. I wrote this play in 4 days at the start of the year and within a week Camden Fringe had picked it up – it seemed like fate and if all goes well, this will birth my continued return in theatre.
What’s the most important thing you want people to know about your show and its intentions?
This play will challenge everything you know about grief and people dying. We are terrible at talking about death in the UK so this play will break that taboo and try to unpack to one inevitable fate for all of us. Come down and get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
And tell me a little about the dynamics at work between the central characters in Assessment Centre – what are the driving forces?
The two central Characters are Clay and Freyja. They are polar opposites with opposing views, different ambitions and zero chemistry. Despite all this tension the play forces them to interact and work together, making them very uncomfortable. Over 60 minutes of mayhem, the audience are shown the results of when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force with morbid circumstances.
Is there a specific USP that you think audiences will love when it comes to this show?
If you love new writing theatre that is fast paced, silly and leaves with something to ponder in the pub afterwards – this is the play for you.
Quick-fire time! Best show you’ve seen this year?
Can I cheat and say two?
Why not?
For Black Boys who have considered Suicide when the Hue gets too Heavy by Ryan Calais Cameron and All of This by Alistairr Mcdowall. Both true art pieces of outstanding calibre.
Best advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to theatre-making?
“Your place is not on the stage Craig, it is off it” – a drama teacher said this to me when I was 18 and it incensed me. He was right of course but the stroppy teenager knew best, until he didn’t.
The one thing you’d like the power to improve in the industry?
Affordable theatre. [I’m] sick and tired of West End theatres treating tickets as a cash machine. If we don’t let everyone experience theatre because of what it costs, we are only ever going to hear the same tired voices.
A mighty message! What would your advice be to up and coming creatives?
Whatever creative work you want to pursue, get up and do it. Grab your mates, borrow a space and thrash it out. Place it anywhere you can and work your way up. If you keep doing this, someone will notice and then you are away.
Finally then, why should audiences come along to see Assessment Centre this August?
You might laugh, some could cry, but in this whirlwind show you will certainly be entertained.
So there you have it! You can see Craig Henry’s “Assessment Centre” at the Etcetera Theatre on 8th, 12th and 13th August, with a sharp 60 minute run time. More information and tickets can be found here. You can also keep up with Craig via Instagram: craighenry6
Always Time For Theatre 
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