Henley made her professional stage debut in the world premiere of Philip Ridley’s play Angry in 2018. “It’s a collection of monologues which focus on different ideas of anger, whether it’s terrorism, or self-loathing masquerading as tough love, or how we normalize violence,” she told Theatre Weekly at the time. “Tyrone [Huntley] and I perform all six monologues but we alternate which ones we do in each performance, so it’s fascinating how the same words take on new meanings when interpreted by a man and a woman.”
The production itself received mixed reviews, with The Guardian giving it just two stars out of five. However, Henley’s performance was praised by critics. “Henley’s physical control and ability to construct countless individuals feels uncannily effortless,” read WhatsOnStage‘s review, “and, for a performer making their professional stage debut, this no doubt bodes well for the future.” The experience proved to be transformative for Henley, who grew more confident in her abilities as an actress. As she reflected on Instagram a year later, “I had no theatrical training or professional experience … I’m so grateful to them for believing in me.”
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