Writer. Actor. Director.
Jack is an award-winning writer, actor and director.
He trained as an actor at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and has performed on stages across the UK — from Truro to Inverness, the RSC to the West End. He’s starred in tv and film for Amazon, Channel 4, BBC, ITV and BFI.
He was selected to take part in the Royal Court Introduction to Playwriting Course in 2014, and the Channel 4 Screenwriting Course in 2024.
His debut play, CRUISE, was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best New Play 2022. His follow-up, KENREX: A True Crime Thriller, co-written with Ed Stambollouian, premiered at Sheffield Theatres Autumn 2024 and was nominated for the Whatsonstage Award for Best Studio Show. It returns to The Other Palace, London from December 3rd 2025 to February 1st 2026.
Jack’s adaptation of Alan Hollinghurst’s THE LINE OF BEAUTY, directed by Michael Grandage, opens at the Almeida Theatre on October 21st.
Jack is developing multiple stage and screen projects with a range of production companies. He has produced numerous short films and plays for which he wrote successful Arts Council England grant applications, script-edited, line produced, location scouted, 1st AD-ed, and a whole lot more…
Jack is represented by United Agents’ Lindy King and John Hyslop for his acting; Independent Talent’s Alec Drysdale for his writing; and United Voices for his voice over work.
KENREX
Written by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian
With music by John Patrick Elliott
Directed by Ed Stambollouian
Performed by Jack Holden and John Patrick Elliott
‘911, what's your emergency?’
‘My husband... they shot him... they all did.’
July 10th 1981. Skidmore, Missouri. A man is shot dead in broad daylight. There are sixty witnesses - but no one saw a thing.
Part True Crime, part Western, with a foot stomping live Americana soundtrack, KENREX is a gritty, gripping, one-man thrill ride from the creators of the Olivier-nominated Cruise.
“Nothing short of phenomenal... A brilliantly theatrical, exhilarating and terrifying evocation of chaos”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Telegraph
“Spell-binding”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ WhatsOnStage
“Astonishing... demands to be seen”
★ ★ ★ ★ The Guardian
“Thrilling”
★ ★ ★ ★ The Stage
“Absolutely phenomenal theatre”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Musical Theatre Review
BOOK for KENREX at The Other Palace.
Dec 3rd 2025 - February 1st 2026.
photos by Manuel Harlan
CRUISE
Written and performed by Jack Holden
Music written and performed by John Patrick Elliott
Directed by Bronagh Lagan
The first new play to reopen the West End after the lockdown closures of 2020/21, CRUISE premiered at the Duchess Theatre to rave reviews, and a nomination for the Olivier Award for Best New Play and two Stage Debut Awards.
In 2022, it played a sell-out run at the Apollo Theatre.
It made its regional premiere at HOME Manchester in 2023, and has been performed in South Africa and Australia. The Mexican and Brazilian productions of CRUISE premiere in 2025.
‘Life affirming and as searingly honest as It’s A Sin... A tour de force, the toast of the town.’
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Telegraph
‘A masterful display of physical and linguistic shapeshifting from Holden.’
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Evening Standard
‘Comedy and tragedy blend together in an unforgettable piece of queer history'.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Broadway World
‘Stunningly funny, joyful and wholeheartedly life-grabbing. Holden is enchanting.’
★ ★ ★ ★ The Guardian
‘Cruise achieves so much it’s tricky to decide which standout feature to rave about first.’
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Gay Times
‘Validation of all theatre can do.’
★ ★ ★ ★ WhatsOnStage
photos by Pamela Raith
Jack’s debut short film as writer-director, SAFARI tells the story of a chance meeting in a night club between two men - one who is on a new recreational drug, the other who isn’t…
Produced by My Accomplice, coming soon.
Josh: Eloka Ivo
Oscar: Alexander Holley
Grace: Lydia Larson
Producer: Sychelle-Kristina Yanda
Producer: Dorottya Székely
Executive Producer: Jamie Clark
Executive Producer: Aleksandra Bilić
Executive Producer: Cordell Campbell
1st Assistant Director: Ty Hack
Director Of Photography: Andreas Neo
1st AC: Kieran Poynter
Camera Operator: James Davis
Gaffer: Amarjeet Singh
Electrician: Mark Haley
DIT: Arthur Graham-Maw
Sound Recordist: Craig Cassie
Art Director: Shakeelah Archibald
Hair and Makeup Designer: Joe Darby
Script Supervisor: Terrie Aghaizu
Intimacy Co-Ordinator: Jamila Wingett
Editor: Stephen Ashwell
Colourist: Jax Harney
Sound Mix & Sound Design: Nigel Albermaniche
Composer: John Patrick Elliott
GFX Artist: Joe Phinikas at Bubble
Casting By Stafi Samaki and Ella Sky Laurie at Des Hamilton Casting
