Born in Stockholm, Sweden to a German mother and Russo-Finnish father, Allan Corduner moved to England with his parents at the age of one year old, growing up in London. His parents were artistic and encouraged his early ambition to become a concert pianist - he is still extremely accomplished on the piano - but after attending Bristol University he opted for the stage and trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He began in musical theatre but has encompassed all media, notably appearing as Sullivan to Jim Broadbent's Gilbert in the film Topsy-Turvy (1999).