KENREX

by Jack Holden, Ed Stambollouian

Nominated for Best New Play at the Olivier Awards 2026
Nominated for Best New Play at the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards 2026

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

July 10th, 1981, Missouri. Smalltown bully, Ken Rex McElroy rules Skidmore with an iron fist. His ten-year reign of terror has involved theft, intimidation, assault, abduction and attempted murder but, thanks to his slippery defence attorney and the rusty cogs of the American justice system, Ken has never spent a night behind bars.

But, when Ken shoots pillar of the community, greengrocer Bo Bowenkamp, and leaves him for dead, the good folk of Skidmore decide that enough is enough. If the courts won't bring Ken to heel, they will.

KENREX is the unbelievable true story of a community taking back control - part True Crime, part Western, with a foot-stomping live Americana soundtrack.

After a smash-hit premiere at Sheffield Crucible in October 2024, KENREX later transferred to the Southwark Playhouse in February 2025. This revised and updated edition was published to coincide with the 2025/26 London run at The Other Palace.

60 pages, Paperback

Published February 12, 2026

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