KENREX

Part True Crime, part Western, KENREX is a gritty, gripping thrill ride through the American Midwest written by Olivier Award-nominee Jack Holden

‘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.