KENREX
True Crime masterpiece KENREX has arrived at Southwark Playhouse Borough and it might be one of the best plays London has seen in years.
KENREX is not just a play—it's a visceral, immersive experience that redefines true crime storytelling. This production is a theatrical knockout, a must-see for anyone who craves innovative and gripping theatre.
Jack Holden delivers a tour-de-force performance, inhabiting over ten distinct characters with remarkable dexterity. He seamlessly transitions from the menacing swagger of Kenrex to the slippery charm of his lawyer, each character etched with unique vocal patterns, physicality, and even subtle mannerisms. Holden's masterful characterisation brings depth and humanity to even the most reprehensible figures, making this a performance you won't soon forget.
Sharing the stage, John Patrick Elliott provides a hauntingly beautiful live score, his multi-instrumental prowess and evocative vocals underscoring the drama and adding another layer of emotional depth.
The play plunges us into the heart of Skidmore, a Midwest American town plagued by the violent Ken Rex McElroy, who consistently evades justice.
Structured like a binge-worthy documentary, with "episodes" delineated by title screen projections, the narrative unfolds with a relentless pace, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The central questions—does Kenrex get caught? What is justice?—resonate deeply, prompting reflection on the complexities of morality and the flawed nature of the legal system.
Giles Thomas's incredible sound design is crucial to the play's immersive quality. The surround sound isn't just a technical flourish; it actively draws the audience into Skidmore. Whispered conversations and call outs from the crowd emanate from behind the audience, placing viewers inside the town and letting the beads of sweat begin to build. The seamless integration of recorded dialogue, particularly the lawyer's tapes, blurs the lines of storytelling and smoothly blends the technology into reality as the characters on the tape come to life before your eyes.
Jack Holden gives the performance of a lifetime delivering over ten characters each with their own stance, mannerisms and voice which are instantly identifiable and distinctive. Jack Holden is a master of characterisation and displays each human being as a fully fledged person. It cannot be understated that this is a performance not to be missed.
Adding to the impressive staging is the lighting design by Joshua Pharo whose creativity is boundless. A sudden spotlight isolates a character in a moment of crisis creating urgency and tension, while a shift in colour bathes the stage in a mood of unease or reflection. Changing the emotion with a click or a flick, the lighting is paramount to this show and it's a testament to the incredible skill of Joshua Pharo.
As the story evolves, twists and turns, more of the set designed by Anisha Fields, is used in different ways with impressive effect. KENREX is a masterclass in utilising everything you've got to give a knockout show. With a bright green floor and tarp on a back wall with a giant billboard as the backdrop, the set works for every location and never once feels underutilised.
"KENREX" is more than just a play; it's a theatrical experience that will leave you breathless. The writing, by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian, is sharp, insightful, and profoundly moving. This production is a testament to the power of theatre to engage, provoke, and transport us to another world. Southwark Playhouse has delivered another triumph, and "KENREX" is an absolute must-see.
People were literally sitting on the edge of their seat, in tears at the end and gasping throughout. The writing, by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian, is some of the best that has appeared on stages in years and Southwark Playhouse have launched another incredible production. Not only is it sharp and witty at times, it is beautiful and profound with emotional scenes and tense fear.
KENREX is the most bingeable true crime documentary live on stage. An absolute must see for all to see theatre at its very best.
This show was reviewed on the 18th February 2025 at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London where it runs until the 15th March 2025. Tickets available here: Kenrex - Southwark Playhouse Borough
Review written by Ryan Lenney
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Photo credit:Manuel Harlan
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