Born in Wales, a country located in the southwest of Great Britain, Burton made the bold decision to relocate to Canada in the year 1960. He then went on to pursue his passion for theatre at the University of British Columbia, where he studied from 1963 to 1968. Following his time at the University, Burton furthered his education at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London, attending from 1972 to 1973. After completing his studies, he embarked on a six-year journey through the British repertory system.
Burton's first foray into acting in Canada took place in 1968, when he appeared in James Reaney's thought-provoking production "Listen to the Wind" at the esteemed Vancouver Playhouse. Twenty years later, in 1986, Burton took to the stage once more, this time in George Ryga's "Paracelsus", directed by the accomplished John Juliani, at Vancouver Playhouse.
Throughout his illustrious career, Burton has had the privilege of working with numerous esteemed organizations, including Open Theatre Company in Vancouver, where he acted, directed, and served as artistic director from 1982 to 1987. He also had the opportunity to work with White Rock Summer Theatre in 1987. In addition, Burton has performed with Repercussion Theatre, Centaur Theatre, Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, and Arts Club Theatre, among others.
Notable productions in which Burton has appeared include "Catsplay" in 1997 and "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" in 1998, both at Centaur Theatre, directed by the talented Greg Wanless. He also starred in "What the Butler Saw" at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in July 1999, directed by Joel Greenberg. More recently, Burton appeared in "Fallen Angels" at Saidye Bronfman Centre in 2007, directed by the accomplished Diana Leblanc, and "Ars Poetica" at Infinitheatre in 2012, directed by the renowned Guy Sprung.