Wim Burkunk

Biography

Wim Burkunk (1925-2008) was a Dutch actor, stage director and writer. He started his career in Indonesia, where he was employed until 1950 and took drama, dance, fencing and speech lessons. He founded his own theatre company that went on to perform all over West Java. In the 1950s he lived in Paris, where he took lessons at the Cours Dullin, École du Vieux Colombier, and worked with small companies. In 1960 he founded the Vestzaktheater, where he and his company performed around thirty pieces directed by him. Study trips to America (1968/69), Australia (1969/70), Poland (1976) and the Philippines (1980) followed. During this period he continued to direct and give lectures. From 1974 onward he became a teacher of dramatic education and acting. As a writer he is best known for his dramatic works (for both stage and radio) and a great many popular children's books.