Press
“Regina actor Kent Allen excels as the premier and champion of the mixed metaphor... there’s something reminiscent of Wayne and Shuster in his performance”
— Sheila Bean for The Star Phoenix, on Sex and Politics produced by 25th Street Theatre in October of 1987
“The whole thing about Kent is that he’s got such authority and such experience that you put him in there and he raises the whole level.”
— Playwright Greg Nelson in a preview article in The Star Phoenix for Spirit Wrestler, produced by The Station Arts Centre in 1998
“Kent Allen, finally, does wonders… as Stark. He looks terrifically brittle and dangerous. One observer compared him to Anthony Perkins, which is a well-deserved compliment.”
— Cam Fuller, reviewing the film Murder Seen for The Star Phoenix, November 17th, 2000
Press
“He’s one of my idols.”
— Actor Sharon Bakker, in an interview for The Star Phoenix previewing Dry Streak at The Station Arts Centre published June 30th, 2006.
“Kent… brilliantly turned himself into a human cartoon by holding his body in unnatural ways.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing Couples at Persephone Theatre, March 7th, 1994
“Kent Allen infused his character with dignity in body and voice...”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing Colonial Tongues produced by 25th Street Theatre, October 2nd, 1993
Press
“Clearly, Allen has the talent to work out of any city in North America, including Hollywood. He chooses Saskatoon.”
— Rod MacIntyre in a letter to the editor in The Star Phoenix called “Celebrating achievements of local artists important”, June 8th, 2005
“Kent Allen is quite perfect for the part of Leontes. You might not believe that Leontes should be jealous, but you do believe that Allen is. He even manages to find nuance in the part by showing how his own hate weakens and exhausts him.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing The Winter’s Tale at Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, July 7th, 2000
“From the opening second, you know you’re in good hands. When Allen comes out…you can tell by the tilt of his head and the scrunch of his shoulders that it’s cold outside… Allen goes on to create a masterful show.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing Horse High, Bull Strong, Pig Tight produced by Dancing Sky Theatre, April 27th, 2005
Press
“When Allen takes a gift of bread, breaks it open and savours the smell as if it’s the best thing on earth, you practically want to reach out and grab a piece.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing The Shipbuilder produced by Dancing Sky Theatre, April 21st, 1999
“Allen and Fitch…are equally superb. Allen, who has to age 40 years, first comes on as an old man. He looks as bad as his acting is good.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing Communicating Doors at Persephone Theatre, April 10th, 2000
“Allen…was a terrific tour guide, as blunt as a hoe, but twice as strong.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing Mail Order Bride produced by Persephone Theatre, October 13th, 1998
Press
“Allen is the play’s acting highlight… he manages to turn in a measured, noble and yet nonetheless heartfelt performance.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing Phedre produced by Persephone Theatre, March 19th, 2001
“If there was a show stealer among the skillful group of performers, it was veteran actor Kent Allen…Allen snared the sharp sense of timing and exaggerated movements needed to make physical comedy work.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, July 9th, 2001
“Allen…proved himself once again to be one of the best character actors around… His condescending glances at the Tisdales were precise, his phoney smile was ever so shallow and his final triumphant speech at the end was the stuff that aching sides are made of”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing Opening Night produced by Persephone Theatre, January 25th, 1993
Press
“The actors are all worthy of note, but none more so than Kent Allen as Quince.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing A Midsummer Night’s Dream produced by Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, July 4th, 1992
“…it’s impossible to overlook Kent Allen’s terrific work as dee-jay Hipockets, especially an outstanding riff he does in the first act impersonating half a dozen radio voices across America.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing The Buddy Holly Story at Persephone Theatre, April 7th, 2003
“You know you’ve got it when, in Allen’s case, literally one raised eyebrow is enough to trigger peels of laughter from the audience. ”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing Anne produced by Persephone Theatre, December 3rd, 2001
Press
“There’s such weight in Allen’s presentation…so many layers both seen and hinted at.”
— Cam Fuller for The Star Phoenix, reviewing The Price produced by Persephone Theatre, March 6th, 2006
“Kent Allen… steals the show. He conveys humorous tension, uncertainty and frustration but never loses the audience’s sympathy.”
— Denise Ball for The Regina Leader-Post, reviewing The Medicine Man at The Globe Theatre, July 7th, 1978
“Kent Allen as George stole the show with a performance that will long be remembered. His sheer presence on stage was enough to start the audience tittering and his moves and manner were enough to rock the hall with laughter. Mr. Allen is a very talented young man. ”
— Stu Poole for The Regina Leader-Post, reviewing Mad Jack’s Escape produced by Regina Little Theatre, April 24th, 1971
Press
“Scrooge finally starts to take advantage of the monstrous talent of Allen, whose scowling majesty on stage is undeniable.”
— Bernard Pilon for The Regina Leader-Post, reviewing Scrooge produced by The Globe Theatre, December 7th, 1990
“Oozing with sardonic menace and dropping one dryly hilarious line after another, Allen’s performance was beautifully nuanced as he revealed more and more of the sinister psyche behind Tupolski’s good cop facade.”
— Mark Claxton for The Regina Leader-Post, reviewing The Pillowman produced by Hectik Theatre, June 11th, 2007
“Dickens himself couldn’t have written a more suitable person to play the iconic role, both in manner and physical appearance… the actor’s final scenes as a softened, daffy and jubilant Scrooge are masterful. ”
— Stephanie McKay for The Star Phoenix, reviewing A Christmas Carol produced by Persephone Theatre, November 27th, 2016
