Review: KENREX (The Other Palace)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Seeing a show more than once can be a tricky business - there is always the worry that you may not love it as much the second time around, or it may fail to have the same impact as it did the first time, especially as you will no longer be surprised by the twists and turns found throughout it. It is even harder when you have reviewed said show, given it five stars and called it a “contender for the best play of the year”.That particular show is KENREX, and I said those particular words back in February, on its first London outing at Southwark Playhouse. Fast forward 10 months, and we have had a pretty sensational year for plays, with even the play I reviewed the day before (the sensational Daniel’s Husband) another strong contender for that title. Returning to the scene of the crime for an encore trip in its London return at The Other Palace, would this killer show solve the case of the best play of the year once and for all?

KENREX isn’t the easiest of shows to describe due to its hybrid nature. The title refers to Ken Rex McElroy, the bully of Skidmore, a small town in Missouri. With a history of crimes under his belt, he has somehow managed to get away with it every single time, never spending a night in prison. When he takes things even further, the townsfolk finally declare that enough is enough and take the law into their own hands. A true crime story, and still an unsolved case, KENREX attempts to get to the bottom of what might have happened.

Though it sits most comfortably in the play category, KENREX is a genre-defying beast of a show combining elements of a play, western, music (though it’s certainly not a musical), and even a true crime podcast coming to life on stage. The result is a distinct production unlike any other you have seen before or are likely to see again - that is part of the reason of what makes KENREX such a sensation.

I spoke at length about what makes this show so special in my original review, but at the risk of repeating myself, it seems to have gotten even better this time around. Where it already was seemingly as good as theatre gets, the geniuses behind KENREX have somehow tapped into a hidden level, unlocking another layer and making this run at The Other Palace even more outstanding than its first London outing earlier this year.

The success in this production is largely down to its co-creators, Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian. Since my first viewing of the show in February, KENREX is a show that has stayed in my thoughts and sparked up many a conversation with other reviewers and theatre lovers throughout the year. I was lucky enough to sit down with Jack and Ed on a recent episode of my podcast and really dive into why they created KENREX.  This enlightening conversation made my long-awaited repeat visit all the more special, as I could see their stamp all over it. The birth of their initial idea spawned into a monster of a show that spoke to the creativity and ingenuity of both, with an unwavering idea of how the show should be realised and a faultless execution of it.

The writing varies in theme and tone throughout, but never falters in its faultless quality. There are moments of comedy, including an incredible sequence involving the appearance of Ken Rex’s lawyer, Richard McFadin, a genius creation that I would like to follow in the footsteps of Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad and land his own spinoff. Elsewhere, the topics can prove more distressing as details of the crimes are played out. The audience gets a real feel for the sinister nature of this bully, and how difficult it must have been for the residents of Skidmore. Intriguingly, through the actions and motives of all involved, KENREX never quite makes it clear who the victim in the situation is, leaving it open to interpretation and discussion, as you are left to ponder if the end ever justifies the means.

Ed Stambollouian’s talents extend to his sensational direction of KENREX, finding innovative ways to bring the entire town of Skidmore to life using little more than one man and a whole host of microphones. It is interesting to note how the production has changed, comparing the very different spaces of The Other Palace and Southwark Playhouse, still retaining the essence of the show, yet tailoring it to its new surroundings. Dare I say it has been done even more successfully this time around, as impossible as I thought that was.

Sound and music play a huge part in the importance of KENREX , with Jack Holden’s past collaborator, John Patrick Elliott, the only other person on stage, providing music, sound and live vocals, accompanying the story with an Americana soundtrack. This proves incredibly impactful, with Giles Thomas’ stunning sound design bringing all of the various characters and the dark atmosphere surrounding the story to life in mesmerising fashion. Equally gorgeous is Joshua Pharo’s lighting, heightening some of the creepier moments in the story with an ominous red glow, making full use of Anisha Fields’ perfectly effective set design.

If there is one reason to see KENREX, it is to witness one of the greatest talents you will ever see on stage. That man is Jack Holden. Not content with writing the story, Jack also stars in it. Nothing unusual about that, I hear you say? Well, when you factor in that Jack is the only actor in the show in a story full of around 20 characters, it becomes a bit more impressive. That word doesn’t do this performance justice - what Jack Holden manages to do alone on stage is jaw-dropping in a performance I can only describe as miraculous. An insanely talented individual, the way he morphs from one character to another with such ease is other-worldly, with one slow transition from Ken’s wife to Ken himself the perfect example of Jack’s talents, but also the skill of this entire production.

The ability of actors and performers never fails to inspire me, but Jack Holden has taken it to a whole new level with his unbeatable turn in KENREX. From the many different voices he puts on, each one distinct and easily definable from the last, to the way he contorts his body, holding himself differently for each character he plays. It may be the most subtle of movements, such as the pose, posture or even the placement of hands, but the intricate way this has been created for each and every character really is extraordinary. I have never seen anything like this performance in all my years of theatre-going and can say, without any doubt, that to watch Jack Holden in KENREX is to watch the single greatest performance of 2025.

Jack Holden deserves all the recognition he is sure to get from this performance - there aren’t enough superlatives in the world to even express just how good it is. If there’s any justice, he will be recognised in the next awards season. Whether that happens or not, one thing is for sure - Jack Holden is one of the most exciting talents in the industry right now, and the future is looking incredible, not just for him, but for all of us lucky enough to be existing at the same time and able to see his amazing work on stage.

There have been some incredible plays this year - Inter Alia, All My Sons, Giant, Intimate Apparel, The Years, to name but a few. How could a relatively small, new and unknown show like KENREX go toe to toe with some of those beats, many of which boast star casting? It can’t. It surpasses them all. The success of KENREX is down to its uniqueness. Like nothing you have seen before, the sheer creativity and innovation here really looks like witnessing the future of theatre, ironically, given the story is set more than 40 years in the past. Through the exceptional writing and Holden’s remarkable performance, I can safely say that KENREX IS the best play of 2025, bar none. Not one of the best plays, not a possible contender - without doubt, the single best play of the year. This may be its second London outing, but I can see the future getting even bigger and better for this outstanding show. If you haven’t done so already, you really will want to get a ticket for this killer thriller of a show. It would be a crime to miss it.

KENREX plays at The Other Palace until February 1st 2026. Save up to 40% on tickets from £25 at https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/play/kenrex-tickets

Catch up with my podcast with Jack Holden and Ed Stamboullian on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Photos by Manuel Harlan