STUDENT & TEACHER

GB studied English Language & Literature at New College, Oxford from 1960 to 1963, and then for a Diploma of Education for one year. From 1964 to 1969, he served as Head of English in several UK secondary schools (Barcote School of Coaching, near Oxford; Birmingham Tutorial School, and Hydesville Tower School in Walsall).
















CO-DIRECTOR & PLAYWRIGHT

In 1961, he co-directed (with Adrian Bergson) John Ford’s “‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore”, which was performed in June. In June, 1962, he played the Priest in “Twelfth Night”, directed by his college friend Cal Clothier. Both plays were performed in the open air in New College cloisters.


In 1968, GB's play on Frederick the Great, "The Last of the Kings", was acted in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by Keele University students. Above centre: John Hartoch in the title role. John Hartoch is now a senior instructor in the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.


REITAKU UNIVERSITY, JAPAN

In 1969, GB went to teach at Reitaku University in Kashiwa, near Tokyo, as a Lecturer in English, later being promoted to Assistant Professor, then Professor. From 1970 to 2002, he worked on the translation of "A Treatise on Moral Science" by Chikuro Hiroike, founder of the Reitaku campus in 1935. After 25 years at Reitaku, GB retired in 1994 and went to live in Shikoku, with his wife Kyoko, whom he married in 1976 and who had formerly worked in Reitaku University Library.


While teaching English Language & Literature full time, GB directed Reitaku University English Drama Group (R.U.E.D.G.) for 25 years, and was also Advisor of the English Speaking Society (E.S.S.) for 17 years, and of the Kyudo (Japanese Archery) Circle from 1977 to 1982. He also often directed English dramas at Reitaku Senior High School (in the same campus). From 1982 to 1993, GB co-founded and directed the Feste English Speaking Theatre, whose members were mainly Reitaku OBs & people from Kashiwa and Tokyo.

 

New College, Edinburgh & Reitaku University, Japan