The unbelievable true story of a community taking back control, part Western and part True Crime.
Aria Entertainment and Sheffield Theatres are thrilled to announce that the world premiere of KENREX will transfer from Sheffield Theatres’ Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse to Southwark Playhouse Borough from 14 February – 16 March 2025. Following a sold-out run in Sheffield where it received multiple five-star reviews, KENREX is part True Crime, part Western, with a foot-stomping live Americana soundtrack. KENREX is devised by Jack Holden (Olivier-nominated Cruise) and 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…
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 Rex 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.
Trailer: KENREX Official Trailer | 14 February - 15 March
Jack Holden (Marriage, BBC; War Horse, National Theatre) performs the one-person show, jumping between characters in a high-octane blend of vocals, sound effects and song. He is accompanied on stage by composer and musician John Patrick Elliott (award-winning composer, recent album includes My Role in the Show), and directed by co-writer Ed Stambollouian (Animal Farm, Royal & Derngate; More More More Joe Lycett, UK Tour).
★★★★★ “Spell-binding” WhatsOnStage
★★★★★ “Nothing short of phenomenal… A brilliantly theatrical, exhilarating and terrifying evocation of chaos” The Daily Telegraph
Listings
Date: 14 February 2025 – 15 March 2025
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD
Ticket Prices: Standard from £29 / £23.50 Concessions / Previews £16 / Pioneers' Preview (14 Feb) £10
Tickets: Kenrex - Southwark Playhouse Borough