A Quick Chat with Andrew Henry

Andrew Henry is an alumni from the School at Steppenwolf in Chicago and is currently back in Australia starring in Michael Gow’s one act play Europe at the Seymour Centre, Sydney.

Andrew was nominated for a Sydney Theatre award for best actor for his portrayal of Chris Keller in All My Sons by Arthur Miller at the Eternity Playhouse directed by Iain Sinclair and other theatre credits include the Australian premiere of Reasons to be Pretty by Neil Labute, The Schelling Point directed by Sarah Goodes and The Chronic-ills of Robert Zimmerman aka Bob Dylan directed by Lucinda Gleeson.

We catch up with Andrew for a quick chat about life, theatre and Europe!

What’s your name and what do you do?

Andrew Henry i’m an actor, currently in Europe by Michael Gow opposite the simply divine Pippa Grandison and about to launch into Mark O’Rowe’s sensational Howie The Rookie.

What’s your most underrated or unknown talent?

That I am a really good basketball referee, I will go away to referee elite competition at a tournament – then come back and go into a theatre.

What makes you laugh?

At the moment a really well executed prank. i.e. Vitalyzdtv

What are you reading?

Iceman Cometh

Who is your role model?

Putting my mum and dad aside, as they have the crown.

In our world of theatre it is Sheldon Patinkin. The best teacher I have ever had and a man who’s generosity and kindness has shaped my life. “better to be an asshole than a chicken shit.”

The world needs more…

Love. Everyday you read pages and pages of hate. It’s terrifying.

The world needs less…

Big business selfish SOB’s

What tools do you need to be creative?

You just need to know why you do what you do. When you know why, creativity comes easily.

What’s your happy place?

It’s not very specific- but it is intricately linked to Anthony Gooley and Sean Hawkins.

Which show (other than your own) you think people should drop everything and see?

I’d predict Menagerie at Belvoir will really be something. Eamon will nail that beautiful script and at the same time at the Tap Gallery two rocking actors are doing Gruesome Playground Injuries which has been put on by the newly formed Kings Collective and the ‘off broadway’ is as vital to see as the mainstage shows. They also just finished This is Our Youth last week which was effing brilliant.

What was the last piece of theatre/film/TV that really left an impression on you?

Without question The Wire. It is still burnt into my soul.

What three things can’t you live without?

My friends, my work and my family. Bloody typical.

Go-to shower belting song?

Walking in Memphis.

If you could change one thing about the Australian theatre industry, what would that be?

I’d take a select group of politicians to see a ‘This is Our Youth at the Tap Gallery, then to Belvoir to see Namatjira, then to Griffin to see Unholy Ghosts then to the Seymour Centre to see A Dolls House- then I would sit them all down, and say -“how can you possibly not give a f*&k.”

What’s the most used app on your phone?

The good old Facebook.

What city do you live in and why?

I live in Sydney because I adore it.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

As long as I am happy I don’t mind, but I would like to have a fishing boat. It doesn’t have to be flash, but I would like to have that. It one of my favourite things to do.

Europe is playing at the Seymour Centre until September 27.

Visit seymourcentre.com for booking details