London’s theatre scene is no stranger to daring, thought-provoking productions, but Kenrex at the Southwark Playhouse is something truly special—a visceral, electrifying experience that grips its audience from the very first moment and refuses to let go.
On July 10, 1981, the town of Skidmore, Missouri, made history. After years of terror, theft, intimidation, and violence, Kenrex McElroy—the local bully who had evaded justice time and time again—was finally confronted by his community. When the courts failed to hold him accountable, the people of Skidmore decided to take matters into their own hands.
This dark, morally complex tale is the heartbeat of Kenrex, a play that thrives on tension, simmering rage, and the desperate need for justice. It’s a story that feels almost mythic in scale—part real-life Western, part searing indictment of a broken legal system. Yet, in the hands of this cast and creative team, it remains deeply personal, thrillingly human, and utterly immersive
Kenrex is simply a mind-blowing piece of immersive theatre that will stay with you long after the performance has finished. Processing what is, without doubt, one of the finest pieces of theatrical art you can witness anywhere right now is going to take time. It simply takes your breath away. Jack Holden is a genius—it’s that simple. As he manifests each individual character from Skidmore in this deepening tale of intrigue, shock, horror, and cold justice, you will find yourself unable to separate the actor from the roles. With simple changes in posture, a movement, or even a subtle twitch of sinew, Holden conjures an entire world of characters so seamlessly that you forget it’s all coming from one man.
With an unsettling charisma and raw menace, he embodies a man who has spent a decade ruling through fear, a man who believes himself untouchable—until the moment he isn’t. Watching him prowl the stage, exuding both charm and cruelty, is a masterclass in acting.
Accompanying this masterful performance is John Patrick Elliott’s glorious and ethereal musical craftsmanship. Using a variety of instruments and electronic loops that would leave even Ed Sheeran in awe, Elliott’s compositions weave an atmospheric, haunting soundscape that elevates the production to another level. It is a score of sublime brilliance, perfectly underscoring the raw, emotional intensity of Holden’s performance.
And then there’s the sheer genius of the staging, which defies belief. A simple door frame, enhanced by dynamic lighting, conjures entire buildings in the mind’s eye. Two lights become a battered old pickup truck, while an array of microphones—enough to give any sound engineer nightmares—are transformed into an evocative, visceral soundscape. Jack Holden’s embodiment of Kenrex is nothing short of chilling; with a startling, terrifying twitch of the shoulder, he becomes the infamous figure. One of the show’s most powerful moments unfolds as lights flash and smoke hazes across the audience, while Elliott’s guitar heralds a werewolf-like transformation—Kenrex’s reign of terror made utterly, horrifyingly real.
The presentation is so immersive that you can almost smell the stale beer, feel the crunch of dry gravel underfoot, and sense the stifling atmosphere of a small-town community teetering on the brink of chaos. And it’s not just Kenrex; Holden morphs into other characters with such startling clarity—be it Kenrex’s lawyer, Richard Gene McFadin, or his teenage bride—that you could be forgiven for believing multiple actors are on stage. It’s more than a true crime podcast brought to life; it’s a fully enveloping world, a voyeuristic plunge into a moral dilemma with no clear way out. At times, it feels as though you are trapped within a David Fincher or Quentin Tarantino thriller, each scene dripping with unease and suspense.
The technical setup, led by Joshua Pharo’s lighting and video design and Giles Thomas’s intricate sound design, is a masterclass in precision. Despite its complexity, it is presented with such seamless execution that it appears effortless—an illusion of simplicity masking a staggering level of technical brilliance.
Under the expert direction of Ed Stambollouian, Kenrex is a slow-burning powder keg that explodes in stunning, unforgettable fashion. The pacing is meticulously controlled, allowing the story to build naturally while never losing momentum. Every movement, every silence, and every movement of post exchanged between characters is loaded with meaning, drawing the audience deeper into the town’s dilemma, with a razor-sharp finesse, a relentless and unflinching grip that never wavers for a second.
Kenrex is a theatrical experience unlike any other—uncompromising, visceral, and utterly unmissable. Do not wait. Get your tickets now and make it your priority to witness one of the most exceptional pieces of theatre you will see in a very long time. If we could give Kenrex 10 stars it still wouldn’t be enough.
How to See Kenrex at Southwark Playhouse
📍 Where: Southwark Playhouse, London
📅 When: Now playing – Limited run until 15th March
🎟 Tickets & More Info: Southwark Playhouse Website
Don’t miss your chance to witness this gripping piece of theatre.
