Robert Liensol

(1922 - 2011)

Robert Liensol was born on 9 September 1922 in Saint-Barthélémy, French West Indies. He was an actor, known for L'exil du roi Behanzin (1994), Target (1985) and Coco-the-Flower, Candidate (1979). He died on 13 February 2011 in Paris, France. Robert Liensol founded in 1954 and managed to 1972 the "Compagnie des Griots", the first French company of black actors. In that troupe, were Darling Légitimus, Théo Légitimus, Jenny Alpha, Bachir Touré, Toto Bissainthe, Thimotée Bassari, Lydia Ewandéand Danièle Van Berkeycke. They created "Les Nègres" by Jean Genet, directed by Roger Blin, "La tragédie du Roi Christophe" and "Une saison au Congo" by Aimé Césaire both directed by Jean-Marie Serreau. He merged the Griots company with the "Shango" theatre troupe of Med Hondo called "Griots-Shango"in 1972.