Duration
2 hrs 10 mins
Closing Date
Until February 1, 2026
Age limit
Suitable for 12+ yrs
Why Watch KENREX?
- The unbelievable true story of Ken Rex McElroy anchors this gripping mix of small-town tension, dark humour, and Western-style storytelling in KENREX play.
- Jack Holden leads the production and cast after acclaim for Cruise, with creator-performer credits that earned an Olivier nomination.
- Writer-director Ed Stambollouian (Wolfie, Royal Court) and designer Anisha Fields craft a stark, cinematic world rooted in true-crime detail.
- Playing at the Other Palace Theatre, its previous Sheffield run was "gloriously and essentially theatrical" (The Stage). Book your tickets to KENREX in London!
KENREX is a tense, darkly comic true-crime play about the final days of Ken Rex McElroy, the notorious bully who terrorised the small town of Skidmore, Missouri, for more than a decade. After years of theft, intimidation, and violence, McElroy escaped justice time and again until the community finally reached a breaking point. Jack Holden brings the story to life with a foot-stomping Americana score by John Patrick Elliott and direction by Ed Stambollouian. Layered, unsettling, and driven by meticulous detail, KENREX play in London reframes a real American legend as a gripping theatrical investigation into fear, power, and collective survival.
Storyline
In 1981 Missouri, Ken Rex McElroy dominated Skidmore through threats, fraud, and escalating violence. When he shoots local grocer Bo Bowenkamp, the town’s long-boiling resentment spills over, forcing neighbours to confront what happens when the law cannot protect you. Told through Jack Holden’s narration and live music, KENREX tracks the events leading to a community’s breaking point, but leaves one haunting question unanswered: how does a town live with its choice?
Show timings
Show timings for KENREX may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Cast & Crew
Leading roles: Jack Holden as the narrator and John Patrick Elliott as the on-stage musician
Writers: Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian
Director: Ed Stambollouian
Composer: John Patrick Elliott
Set and costume designer: Anisha Fields
Lighting and video designer: Joshua Pharo
Sound designer: Giles Thomas
Movement director: Sarah Golding
Production manager: James Anderton
Age Suitability
This show is suitable for ages 12 years and above.
Content warning: This production contains haze, flashing lights, strobe lighting, loud noises, gunshot sound effects, depiction of physical violence and death, strong language, and references to grooming, rape, sexual and physical abuse.
Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!
Most theaters are air-conditioned year-round, so it can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case.
The Other Palace
The Other Palace Theatre is one of London’s leading homes for new writing and contemporary theater, known for championing bold, experimental storytelling. Its flexible studio and main house have hosted acclaimed productions such as Be More Chill, Heathers, and Eugenius!, alongside new musicals, developmental workshops, and solo-led shows.
The Other Palace Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
Facilities & Accessibility
Available facilities: Bar, restrooms, cloakroom, foyer seating
Accessibility: Wheelchair access, accessible seating, accessible restrooms, step-free routes to designated areas, assistance available on arrival
Additional Information
- Security: To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
- Dress code: Smart casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
- Outside food: While outside food isn't usually allowed, many theaters have cafes or restaurants nearby for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets Redemption
You will receive an email with your KENREX voucher. No need to print. Please carry a valid Photo Id for identification.
Cancellation & Refunds
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of the tickets starts from £25 and will vary depending on the type of seats you choose.
The play does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 12 years and above. This production contains haze, flashing lights, strobe lighting, loud noises, gunshot sound effects, depiction of physical violence and death, strong language, and references to grooming, rape, sexual and physical abuse.
The show is playing at the Other Palace Theatre in London.
It follows the real events surrounding Ken Rex McElroy, the Missouri bully whose decade of violence led to one of America’s most debated unsolved communal crimes.
The running time is 2 hours and 5 minutes.
The play is based on documented events surrounding Ken Rex McElroy’s final years in Skidmore, drawing from public records and contemporary reporting. No speculative material is included.
Yes, the structure mirrors the pacing and tension of true-crime storytelling, which is part of its appeal.
The show features intense themes, references to violence, and moments of high tension, but it does not depict graphic onstage violence.
Yes. A live Americana score composed and performed by John Patrick Elliott supports the storytelling throughout.
The production explores the events leading up to the confrontation and the community’s response, leaving audiences to reflect on the unresolved legal questions.
