Born in Wales, Burton came to Canada in 1960, studied theatre at the University of British Columbia from 1963 to 1968, and continued his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1972 to 1973. He then performed in the British repertory system for six years.

Burton's first acting role in Canada was in James Reaney's "Listen to the Wind" at Vancouver Playhouse in 1968. In 1986, Burton acted in "Paracelsus" by George Ryga (directed by John Juliani) at Vancouver Playhouse. Burton has acted, directed and and served as artistic director at Open Theatre Company in Vancouver from 1982 to 1987, and White Rock Summer Theatre in 1987. He has performed for Repercussion Theatre; Centaur Theatre ("Catsplay" in 1997, and "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" in 1998 (directed by Greg Wanless); Just for Laughs Comedy Festival ("What the Butler Saw" in July 1999, directed by Joel Greenberg); and Arts Club Theatre. He also played in "Fallen Angels" (directed by Diana Leblanc) at Saidye Bronfman Centre in 2007; and "Ars Poetica" (directed by Guy Sprung) at Infinitheatre in 2012.