Kenrex – Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Sheffield

Writers: Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian

Music and Lyrics: John Patrick Elliott

Director: Ed Stambollouian

Based on a true story, Kenrex is about a small town in Missouri in 1984. We see how vile, violent and intimidating the town bully Ken Rex McElroy is. The town’s people live in constant fear of what he did next. However, in comes David Baird, a new county prosecutor. The play follows David and the lengths he goes to in order to attempt to get Ken Rex jailed following a long series of crimes that he has never been punished for.

Written by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian, the show is gripping and well paced. The audience stays on the edge of their seats, waiting to see how things will end up for this town of people. As well as a gripping drama, the play is also a fascinating exploration of justice and what it should really look like.

Anisha Fields’ design fills every inch of the Playhouse’s stage, but it is relatively simple. Director Stambollouian ensures it is used incredibly effectively though in showing the huge number of different locations we find ourselves in during the course of the play. This is virtually a one person play, and Joshua Pharo’s lighting design is incredibly effectively in creating the idea that multiple people are on stage. It also builds tension at the right moments perfectly. Giles Thomas’ sound design is a true masterpiece. He makes use of surround sound in a way that this reviewer has never experienced in a theatre in recent memory, really immersing the audience into the action making us feel like we’re part of the town. He utilises a large number of microphones on stage, each with different and clever effects which help in creating the different characters we meet.

The music composed and performed by John Patrick Elliott is wonderful. The show very much isn’t a musical, and the music doesn’t directly tell the story, but it does add some variety and energy to what could have otherwise been a purely heavy show. Elliott is an incredibly talented musician, playing multiple instruments and delivering strong vocals.

Performer Jack Holden is the single actor telling the story. His performance is incredibly impressive. He brings to life a huge number of characters, each of them having clear and distinct personalities using his strong voice and physical acting skills. Holden has a huge amount of energy which never lets up. The only slight downside of having one actor playing all the characters is we never get very much depth or insight into the backstory of any of the characters.

Kenrex is a gripping piece of theatre about a little piece of history that otherwise goes fairly unknown. With a very talented performer at the centre and an exceptional technical design, this is certainly a show that has the potential for a future life beyond its limited run in Sheffield.

Runs until 16 November 2024.