IN Ellen Kent's latest production there is a wall of fire- and not just a scenic background- but real fire raging across the stage.

For the director and producer loves putting on a good show and attracting a wide audience to her operas- no matter what the cost.

At 64-years-old Ellen shows no signs of slowing down and was a whirr of chatter and activity as she talked to me from her home in Kent, which has 15 acres of land. She is great fun to talk to and when I looked back at my notes the topic jumped from one to the other.

As she said herself she is a very determined lady and has been involved in the business since 1984.

She is bringing Aida to the stage at the Wycombe Swan this month with amazing special effects.

It also stars the Chisinau National Opera and the Philharmonic Orchestra with an international guest soloist. Ellen said: "It takes a lot of organising, a lot of screaming and shouting and tears before bed time.

"I have been doing it since 1984 when I first started."

Aida is Verdi's classic love story brimming with war, jealousy and revenge and tells the tragic story of the beautiful Ethiopian slave girl and her love for the Egyptian hero, Radames.

Ellen said: "We have got the wall of fire.

"The whole of Aida is to do with the gate of fire." And she really goes to town with the shows.

Aida includes temple dancers, cages of exotic birds and parrots, ballet sequences, beautiful pillared sets with intricate tomb paintings, Bedouin dancers, a bathing scene and the ceremonial march with a pyrotechnic display where a wall of fire extends across the stage in a massive burst of flames.

Amazing poi fire spinners come out of the firewall with a dazzling display of fire wheels and live flames to mark the jubilant celebrations of the classic Triumphal march. About 40 local dancers, children and adults, join the 80-strong cast as slaves and soldiers on stage.

She said: "Most producers do it for money. I have turned my hobby into my job. "If we want a horse we'll get a horse, want a dog- we'll get a dog."

Ellen couldn't read or write until she was nine, which makes what she does seem even more remarkable.

She said: "There is something strange going on in my wiring, in my brain. I don't sort of say I am going to sit down and think what to do.

"It comes to me. "I wait for my brain to come up with the ideas.

"I have got a photographic memory. I can see it as if I was there.

"The brain is doing strange things.

"I go direct these shows. I don't think about it. I read the music and go through it and absorb the feel of the show. I work out the lines."

Her other current productions are Verdi's Nabucco and Puccini's La Boheme. It is a massive operation and admits she would be so much richer if she didn't spend so much time and money on her shows.

Ellen said: "I will pay money for my leads. They are international stars.

"A lot of producers. They don't bother- they just go over to Eastern Europe, take whatever, they are there to make money."

She added: "We are taking the risks. One can only live in hope. My actors are top notch." So what is it that keeps bringing people back to see her shows?

She said: "They know they get value for money. I am not charging lots.

"It is spectacular. Everyone wants spectacular shows these days. I sex them up to match the musicals although they are terrible."

Ellen said musicals offend her ears.

She said: "They mic them up and they are shouting at the top of their voices.

"Some of those musicals I have been to- I see the acting is all the same- 2D acting not 3D characters. "They all act the same."

But she is sure to point out that her production of these world famous operas are for everyone.

She said: "I don't go seeking high level opera- what is going on there?"

Ellen clearly loves her job and has a huge passion for putting on the best show she can. She said: "I will do it until the day I drop down dead.

"Unless I am forced to be by circumstances.

"I would die of boredom if I retired. I can't afford to retire anyway."

Ellen added: "When I was a child I wanted to be a film star. I like to think my operas are like films.

"I am sitting in my own role. Sitting in the part of Ellen Kent.

"I play it for all its worth. That gives me a kick. I suppose, I really am Ellen Kent.

"I have become the character I put out."

Aida is at The Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe on Sunday, November 17 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £21.50 to £32.50 from 01494 512000 or go to www.wycombeswan.co.uk

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