Jack Holden is a brilliant new talent, co-writer and sole performer in KENREX, a grim tale about a damaged, small-time town bully in Skidmore, Missouri who escaped conviction from a variety of crimes by terrorising witnesses who weare too afraid to turn up in court.
Ed Stambollouian, co-writer and director, is equally talented and distinguishes himself in a creative and imaginative production on a nearly bare stage, which includes choreographed movement of actor and stage furniture to country-style music composed and performed by John Patrick Elliott.
Holden’s wide range of voices for the large number of characters included in the story is supplemented by recorded voices and sound effects, which make the context and action more credible. The barking of a half-mad dog, heard at a distance, inspires fear.
Holden’s performance breathes life into corrupt defence lawyer Richard Mc Faddin, whose interventions in court ensure that Kenrex never goes to prison. Holden also gives us greengrocer Bo Bowencamp, who is almost murdered by Kenrex, as well as the town mayor, the town preacher and Ida Smith, landlady of the D&G Tavern.
There are several women for whom Holden finds voices as well as a character-related stance and movement. There is the loud-mouthed Lois Bowencamp, hysterical after the attack on her husband, a female federal agent and a local radio host, and, unexpectedly, Treena McCloud, an underage teenager, abducted and seduced by Kenrex, who becomes vociferous, crude and violent in her support for him.
Most interesting of all is the characterisation and voice of Kenrex himself. When we first meet him, he is monosyllabic and can only say "uhuh" or "mhmm" in response to Ida’s questions. In stance, he is as lopsided as Quasimodo and virtually motionless until he is riled. Then his anger explodes into an outburst of threats and foul invective, and his voice becomes terrifyingly loud.
This is an innovative play with an outstanding central performance, brilliant accompanying music and exciting production ideas. Not to be missed.