Ellen Kent

Ellen Kent (born 1949 or 1950) is a British theatre director and producer. She is known for her touring opera productions featuring artists from Eastern Europe.

Early life Kent was born in India in 1949 or 1950, the daughter of a British high commissioner and Parsee mother. She grew up in Bombay before moving to Cromer, Norfolk, for boarding school. Kent went on to study at Durham University and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Kent became particularly known in the UK as one of the pioneers behind travelling shows of musicians and performers from Eastern Europe, and while there was some negative criticism particularly about the exploitative nature of such tours, an article in The Observer indicated the performers were adequately compensated and the music itself "professional with some notably good singers". By 2001, touring performances from Moldova were seen as "essential" economic exports, and Kent and her company produced a UK tour of The Nutcracker with the Chisinau National Ballet.

Kent is known for featuring animals in her productions, including in 2025 for a production of La Bohème with the Ukrainian Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 2026 Kent produced and directed her "Farewell Opera Tour". Featuring productions of both Carmen and Madame Butterfly, the tour was promoted as Kent's last in the UK.