KENREX

Are you looking to be swept off your feet with mystery and intrigue this Autumn? If so, The Crucible’s Playhouse Theatre has exactly the show for you. ‘Kenrex’ blew in like a storm this October and over the course of two hours, it left its audience awestruck and amazed.

Based in a tiny town deep in the heartland of Missouri, USA, ‘Kenrex’ does a stellar job of making the audience feel as if they are far away from Sheffield and are long standing residents of Skidmore, USA. As you walk into the theatre, the sound of country music reverberates throughout the room, bringing you right into the story before a single word has even been spoken. What unfolds is a frantic and fascinating rollercoaster through the troubling events that shook Skidmore and the desperate secrets that its townsfolk hold. Whilst the show is based on a true story and aims to peek into the same looking glass that many true crime shows do, it feels incredibly carefully and creatively put together and never feels perverse or intruding in the way that so often afflicts true crime stories.

The stage design by Anisha Fields (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) is nothing short of exceptional. Fields utilises a multitude of creative props and set design choices that really immerses the audience into the story whilst also presenting the performance in a completely unique way. Coupled with this is the phenomenal sound design by Giles Thomas (The Crucible). It really feels as if every single person who played a part in this production approached it with an abundant wealth of creativity and passion. On stage musical performer John Patrick Elliott (The Little Unsaid) is more than just a musician on set. He is an active participant in the story and hearing him perform is worth the price of admission alone.

Alongside the masterful writing of Ed Stambollouian (Animal Farm), the star of the show is, without a doubt, the performance of actor and co-writer Jack Holden (Cruise). Holden performs every character in this show, of which there are many, and he does a masterful job of crafting a distinct personality for each of them. It is incredibly evident which character Holden is embodying as he skilfully creates mannerisms, accents, body languages and personalities for each of them. Holden’s energy is dazzling and he grips the audience tightly in the palm of his hands throughout the entire duration of the performance. It is testament to his talent that it is inconceivable that anyone else could perform this role apart from him. Holden does an outstanding job of dictating the emotions and attention of each and every audience member and makes them feel complicit in the harrowing events that unfold.

Kenrex runs at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre until Saturday 16th November 2024. Experience its twists and turns and be ready to leave feeling awestruck. It is not to be missed.