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.