Kenrex, Southwark Playhouse Borough Review
Jack Holden in KENREX. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Written by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Content warnings: haze, flashing lights, strobe lighting, loud noises, gunshot sound effects, depiction of physical violence and death, strong language and references to grooming, rape, sexual and physical abuse.
Kenrex is a show that requires no introduction. Anybody who saw Jack Holden in Cruise will know exactly what I mean. This powerhouse of a performer has the entire audience in the palm of his hands for over two hours – yes, even over the interval – in a true crime thriller which should absolutely not be missed.
We find ourselves in Skidmore, a small town in Missouri with a 400 person population. One of these 400 is Ken Rex McElroy, a local thug who has reigned over the town for ten years in a true reign of terror. Assault, theft, and even stealing hogs. You name it, he’s done it and hasn’t yet faced serious consequences. Things take the murkiest of turns when he meets and marries Trena, a fourteen year old who soon falls pregnant. Things get too much for the townspeople when Ken Rex shoots and almost kills Bo Bowenkamp and they decide to take action into their own hands in a display of anger, spine chilling fright and grit. ‘City Boy’ state prosecutor David Baird is being interviewed by the FBI as we start to learn the tale of the ever feared Ken Rex and how he ended up dead.
John Patrick Elliott in KENREX. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Jack Holden, writer and performer of Kenrex, is astonishing to watch. He voices the majority of the characters throughout, morphing as fluidly as water between them. A particular favourite was where he moved between the hunched over Kenrex, the aloof teenage Trena and frightened Ida without so much as a blink. He moves around the stage effortlessly, whether he is up a height as a judge, parading around as sketchy attorney McFaddin or brandishing a machete as young Trena. Sarah Golding’s movement direction is superb throughout and make the show thrilling to watch.
The music. Where do I even start? I recall watching Cruise and being enthralled by the soundtrack, wondering if I could stream it anywhere. Luckily for us, the Kenrex soundtrack is available to stream with a taster on the Southwark Playhouse website. Composed and performed by John Patrick Elliott, this original score pulses throughout the theatre with an unmatched energy. I’ve genuinely heard nothing like it in a theatre. Lighting by Joshua Pharo accompanies the music well, whether we’re flooded with red light, the bright lights of a truck or being plunged or observing Kenrex’s movement through blinks of bright lights. Kenrex also makes use of video, also designed by Pharo, announcing the ‘chapters’ and their subject as well as showing the credits as the lights go up and we wonder who to sympathise with the most.
I left Kenrex truly amazed at the power of theatre. This combination of incredible storytelling, seamless performances, and pretty much perfect music makes for an exhilarating two hours which is guaranteed to have you hooked throughout. It’s early days but I already know that this is a contender for my ‘show of 2025’.
At Southwark Playhouse Borough until 15th March 2025.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
