A formidable performance
Another Southwark Playhouse success, this at the Borough branch!
Kenrex is a re-telling of a real middle America story, and plays well into the popular podcast genre of true crime, endlessly engaging.
Jack Holden, author (joint) and actor holds the stage as (all) the key inhabitants of a tiny Missouri town, Skidmore, and particularly the unstopped town bully, Ken Rex McElroy, accused of 21 offences, many serious, but found guilty of none, through the efforts of a tricky lawyer.
This is an acting tour-de-force, Holden twists his voice and body to fill the stage with real people, holding 3 way conversations where each character is a nuanced portrayal (even if his body, as Kenrex, twists into a Richard III pose as a useful signal).
This is not, by any means, his first one man show, (and indeed, as he is supported by an excellent John Patrick Elliott as a singer-musician and sound man and by the (taped) voice of an FBI interrogator isn’t quite ‘one man’) – but these are closer to effects than fellow actors – and indeed the effects, both lighting and sound demonstrate just how good, and key, these can be with modern technology.
Holden dances round the stage, using multiple microphones on stands to stand-in for multiple characters (and I don’t think any of the mikes were actually live, but that’s a director’s secret).
Some of the effects – actually technically quite simple if immensely well delivered – were outstanding – a success which must stem from a very well drilled production – as well as taking a very significant physical toll on Holden himself.
The set itself (apart from a single US flag) is purely utilitarian, nothing on it belongs to Skidmore – and all of it does as Holden acts it.
That the audience, as one, jumped to a stand at the end tells you all you need to know about the impression Holden made.
The Southwark Playhouse run is short (to 15th March), but I can’t imagine there won’t be further opportunities to see this, it cries out for more transfers.
UPDATE On 12 April 2026 Jack Holden was awarded an Olivier for Best Actor in Kenrex, following the predicted transfer, as well as being nominated for Best New Play. Very well deserved.