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Performing Korea: Trevor Burnard's Journey into Korean Culture and Performance

Fred Foster

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Trevor Burnard is a British theatre director and scholar who has dedicated his life to exploring and promoting Korean culture and performance. His work has spanned over three decades and has had a profound impact on both the Korean and international theatre communities.

Burnard's passion for Korea began in the early 1990s, when he first encountered Korean traditional theatre while working as a theatre director in Japan. Intrigued by the unique and expressive qualities of Korean performance, he began to study the art form in earnest.

Performing Korea

by Trevor Burnard

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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In 1997, Burnard founded the Cambridge University Korean Theatre Company, which became a hub for Korean theatre research and practice in the United Kingdom. Under Burnard's leadership, the company staged numerous productions of Korean plays, including traditional and contemporary works.

Burnard's work has not been limited to the stage. He has also been a prolific writer and lecturer on Korean theatre and culture. His books, including "Performing Korea: The Journal of Korean Theatre and Arts" and "The Cambridge Guide to Korean Theatre," have become essential resources for scholars and practitioners alike.

In addition to his academic work, Burnard has also been actively involved in promoting Korean theatre internationally. He has organized numerous conferences, workshops, and exchange programs between Korea and the United Kingdom.

Burnard's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Order of Cultural Merit from the Korean government. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society.

Burnard's Approach to Korean Theatre

Burnard's approach to Korean theatre is characterized by a глубокое уважение for the tradition while also being open to new and innovative interpretations. He believes that Korean theatre has much to offer the world, but that it must be presented in a way that is both accessible and authentic.

In his work, Burnard often draws on traditional Korean performance techniques, such as mask dance and shamanistic ritual. However, he also incorporates contemporary elements, such as multimedia and experimental staging.

Burnard's goal is to create performances that are both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. He wants audiences to experience the beauty and power of Korean theatre, while also fostering a deeper understanding of Korean culture.

The Impact of Burnard's Work

Burnard's work has had a profound impact on both the Korean and international theatre communities. He has helped to raise the profile of Korean theatre around the world, and has inspired a new generation of Korean theatre artists.

In Korea, Burnard's work has helped to revive interest in traditional theatre forms. He has also been instrumental in the development of new contemporary Korean theatre companies.

Internationally, Burnard's work has helped to break down stereotypes about Korean culture. He has shown that Korean theatre is not just about exoticism and spectacle, but is also capable of expressing universal themes and emotions.

Burnard's work has also had a significant impact on the way that Korean theatre is taught and performed outside of Korea. His books and articles have become standard texts in university courses on Korean theatre, and his work has inspired many non-Korean theatre artists to explore Korean performance techniques.

Trevor Burnard is a pioneer in the field of Korean theatre. His work has had a profound impact on both the Korean and international theatre communities. He has helped to raise the profile of Korean theatre around the world, and has inspired a new generation of Korean theatre artists.

Burnard's work is a testament to the power of theatre to transcend cultural boundaries and to create a deeper understanding between peoples.