Kevin Allen | |
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Born |
Swansea, Wales |
15 September 1959
Alma mater | Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts |
Occupation | Actor, writer, director, producer |
Kevin Allen (born 15 September 1959) is a Welsh actor, screenwriter, film director and film producer. He is noted for writing and directing the cult black comedy feature Twin Town set in Swansea (1997). The film was entered into the 47th Berlin International Film Festival.
He also directed the films The Big Tease and Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London and ITV series Benidorm. His 2015 film Under Milk Wood was selected as the British entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards.
The youngest son of a submarine engineer, younger brother of comedian Keith Allen and uncle of Lily Allen and Alfie Allen, Allen spent much of his childhood in locations such as Malta and Singapore before settling in Loughor, Wales. Educated at Penyrheol Comprehensive, Allen played Gang Show with 1st Loughor Scouts and was a regular member of the Nation Youth Theatre of Wales before attending and graduating from the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London.
Allen first came to national prominence in 1990 when he documented an England fan's eye view of the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals in Italy with his camcorder, for the BBC series Video Diaries in an episode entitled On The March With Bobby's Army.
Allen's first acting roles came by way of Channel 4's The Comic Strip and later starred alongside Dawn French in Ben Elton's West End hit Silly Cow at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He also starred with Diana Rigg in Howard Brenton's Berlin Bertie at London's Royal Court Theatre – directed by Danny Boyle. He received a Fringe 1st Theatre Award, starring in 'A Prayer for Wings' directed by Joan Plowright at the Edinburgh Festival.