zoom_in Click to enlarge

Jonathan Burrows

▲ ▼

description Jonathan Burrows Overview

Jonathan Burrows is a British choreographer and former dancer with the Royal Ballet who became known for his minimalist and conceptual approach to performance. He is recognized for his long-running collaborative works with composer and performer Matteo Fargion, which explore the relationship between movement, text, and music in intimate, often humorous formats. Burrows authored 'A Choreographer's Handbook,' published in 2010, which has become a widely referenced text in dance education and practice. He has also taught extensively at institutions across Europe.

help Jonathan Burrows FAQ

What is Jonathan Burrows's book "A Choreographer's Handbook" about?

Published in 2010 by Routledge, it is a non-linear compilation of notes, fragments, and practical reflections drawn from Burrows's decades of choreographic experience. It has become a foundational text in dance studies and is widely assigned in university performance programs worldwide.

Who is Jonathan Burrows's main artistic collaborator?

Burrows is best known for his ongoing creative partnership with the Italian composer and performer Matteo Fargion. Together they have created numerous duet performances that blend choreography, spoken text, and music, including acclaimed works such as "Both Sitting Duet."

Was Jonathan Burrows a ballet dancer before becoming an independent choreographer?

Yes, Burrows trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and later became a soloist with The Royal Ballet. He eventually left the company to pursue his own independent, more experimental choreographic work, which departs sharply from classical ballet conventions.

What is distinctive about Jonathan Burrows's choreographic style?

Burrows is known for stripping away conventional theatrical spectacle and focusing on minimal, repetitive, and often text-driven performance. His work deliberately blurs the boundaries between dance, music, and language, frequently challenging audiences' expectations of what constitutes choreography.