Kenrex

by Jack Holden, Ed Stambollouian

'911, what's your emergency?'
'My husband... they shot him... they all did.'

July 10th 1981. Skidmore, Missouri. A man is shot dead in broad daylight. There are sixty witnesses - but no one saw a thing. Part True Crime, part Western, KENREX is a gritty, gripping, thrill ride through the American Midwest.

Co-written by Jack Holden, creator of Olivier-nominated West End hit Cruise, and director Ed Stambollouian. This edition was published to coincide with the run at Sheffield Crucible in October 2024.

72 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2024

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update: Thrilled that Jack Holden just won Best Actor at the Oliviers, beating out some formidable and MUCH better-known competition - talent will out!

3.5, rounded up.

I really liked Holden's debut play, Cruise, which - like this one - was performed as a solo show by the playwright. But in that one, he focused on the AIDS crisis in London, and while he embodied multiple characters, he primarily played himself - and the story seemed much more personal.

Here, he takes on a true-life crime story from the '80's that occurred in rural Missouri, based on In Broad Daylight - and while not exactly out of his element, it lacks the immediacy of his previous play.

And with almost 20 characters, I kept wondering HOW this could possibly work as a solo show - but it got fantastic reviews and as one can see from the video below - Holden is a magical performer (albeit I see he uses the script to read from - as it would seem well-nigh impossible to memorize the entire script):
https://vimeo.com/823688977

And although the story being told has compelling elements - I also felt disconnected from a lot of it. But I drew intriguing parallels between this story of a bully who had gotten away with numerous illegal activities for years before the populace got fed up and took justice into their own hands - and a certain current American political figure. But in the unlikely event Holden ever brings it to my neck of the woods, I'd be there in a heartbeat.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/202...
https://northernartsreview.co.uk/cent...
https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/...

[Nadja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the play and listened to John Patrick Elliott's score. It's a brilliant play, and Jack Holden's performance was even better. I was fortunate enough to see it at the Other Palace in London. It's showing Off-Broadway until the end of June, and I can't recommend it highly enough. It's also ideal for those who don't usually go to the theatre but love crime podcasts.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an innovative and unique way to tell the story! The structure and streamlining are incredible and extraordinary.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a kid when this case occurred and I vaguely remember it, because it made national news. For a couple of Brits to write such an insightful and startlingly real play about it is quite amazing, the fact that it's performed by one man is astonishing! I so want to see a production of this!

[Bobby Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good play. Very disturbing.

[Izzy Iz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh now I wish I saw this live