Jack Holden reinvents Peter Pan and 1980s queer classics for stage and nightclub

Published: 13 August. the English Chronicle Desk. English Chronicle Online

Jack Holden, the actor and writer whose talent spans stage, television, and musical theatre, is captivating audiences with an inventive reimagining of JM Barrie’s Peter Pan in his nightclub musical Nvrlnd, while simultaneously adapting Alan Hollinghurst’s queer classic The Line of Beauty for the Almeida Theatre in London. Over the past months, Holden’s creative versatility has been on full display, also exemplified in his one-man true-crime thriller Kenrex, which he co-wrote and performs, demonstrating his ability to inhabit multiple roles with precision and emotion.

Nvrlnd transforms the story of Peter Pan into a hedonistic, noughties-themed nightclub. The show’s energy is infectious: audiences are drawn into a world of music, dance, and chaotic joy, becoming the lost boys and girls themselves. Thomas Grant embodies a Peter who refuses to grow up as he approaches his 30th birthday, while RuPaul’s Drag Race performer Le Fil dazzles as the club’s compere Tiger Lily. Meanwhile, Matthew Gent plays a rival club owner Hook, adding tension to the euphoric chaos. Holden describes the musical as “my purest, most silly, unashamed way” of creating a personal neverland, a testament to his optimism and dedication to immersive storytelling.

Music threads through all of Holden’s projects. In Kenrex, a true-crime thriller spanning seven years in development, Holden collaborates with composer John Patrick Elliot to create a compelling auditory experience. Originally workshopped with a ten-person cast, lockdown inspired Holden to condense the narrative into a one-man show, playing every character himself. The result is a meticulous study in character transition and narrative tension, reflecting Holden’s skill in balancing stillness with drama.

Simultaneously, Holden’s adaptation of The Line of Beauty examines societal and personal shifts in 1980s Britain. Streamlining the original text to focus on four young men navigating class, privilege, and the impact of the AIDS crisis, the play blends historical reflection with contemporary insight. Holden acknowledges the challenge of writing about an era he did not live through, but emphasizes the enduring impact of its social and legislative legacies, including Section 28 and the shadow of the AIDS epidemic.

Through Nvrlnd, Kenrex, and The Line of Beauty, Holden explores themes of freedom, hedonism, and resilience. He celebrates the cultural and sexual renaissance enabled by PrEP, framing his work as an exploration of joy and liberation, where the most compelling drama often unfolds on the dancefloor. His projects collectively highlight his unique ability to fuse historical context, emotional depth, and electrifying performance, establishing Holden as one of the most dynamic voices in contemporary theatre.