 Ashton's ballet "A Day in a Southern Port (Rio Grande)" opened at the Savoy, London in November 1931 with sets and costumes by Burra.He was a member of Unit One in 1933 and showed with the English Surrealists later in the 1930s.Burra travelled widely, and many influences are at play in his works, which were usually watercolour on a large scale in strong colours.