Certain Blacks

Certain Blacks We are an arts development organisation formed to support the growth of diverse artists. Performance, live art, music & more

Ensemble Festival 2026 | Last month at the Royal Docks, Balance by Brainfools brought storytelling, juggling and acrobat...
20/08/2026

Ensemble Festival 2026 | Last month at the Royal Docks, Balance by Brainfools brought storytelling, juggling and acrobatics together in a moving story set in the 1940s 📻

Two people find each other in dark times, discovering the resilience that comes from having the courage to *literally* support one another 💫

✨Thank you Brainfools for showing us how strength and playfulness can come hand in hand✨

💭If you're also feeling nostalgic share this with someone who was there.
Then get some juggling clubs 💪🏽

🎥Photos by M.K. HO

🎭The relationship between artists and audience is really something at outdoor festivals 💫“It can be truly democratic. Au...
13/08/2026

🎭The relationship between artists and audience is really something at outdoor festivals 💫

“It can be truly democratic. Audiences can vote with their feet and leave the performance if they want. It’s different if you are in a theatre or cinema. You have paid for a ticket and there is social pressure not to walk out and leave a show even if you dislike it. Outside, you just walk away” Clive Lyttle, Director of Ensemble Festival, in Meet the Dockers The Royal Docks

Keep your eyes peeled for all the wonderful outdoor arts happening with Without Walls, and see you at Ensemble next year!✨✨

Were you at the festival this year? let us know in the comments 💬



📷 Photos by Alick Cotterill: UFA - Cris Clown, The Torch - Kobby Taylor, Fragments of Us - Talawa Theatre Company; ElevateHer - Daughters of the Wire, Stick & Stone - Flick Ferdinando;
📷 Photos by Sarah Hickson: Domte, Nacho Flores Cía.

The relationship between artists and audience is really something at outdoor festivals💫“It can be truly democratic. Audi...
13/08/2026

The relationship between artists and audience is really something at outdoor festivals💫

“It can be truly democratic. Audiences can vote with their feet and leave the performance if they want. It’s different if you are in a theatre or cinema. You have paid for a ticket and there is social pressure not to walk out and leave a show even if you dislike it. Outside, you just walk away” Clive Lyttle, Artistic Director of Certain Blacks, in Meet the Dockers / The Royal Docks

Keep your eyes peeled for all the wonderful outdoor arts happening with Without Walls UK and see you at Ensemble next year!

Were you in the festival this year? let us know in the comments💬



Photos 📷 By Alick Cotterill: UFA by Cris Clown, Fragments of Us by Talawa Presents, Stick & Stone by Ferdinando + Bernstein, ElevateHer by Daughters of the Wire, The Torch by Kobby Taylor; 📷 By Sarah Hickson Sarah Hickson: Domte by Nacho Flores.

10/08/2026

✨This street magic is exactly what we need in hectic London. Thank you to everyone for making this an unforgettable seventh edition of Ensemble Festival.

See you next year! 🎭🤹🏻‍♂️

Video by ChewBoy Productions

Talawa Presents Brainfools UpDown Circus

to Ensemble Festival weekend ✨ We love going through the photos and reliving the festival bit by bit!It was great seei...
30/07/2026

to Ensemble Festival weekend ✨ We love going through the photos and reliving the festival bit by bit!

It was great seeing familiar faces from previous festivals (thanks for your kind words and feedback!) and we’re looking forward to seeing those new to Ensemble again (yes, we’re already thinking ahead!)

Help us make an explosive comeback next year by sharing your thoughts on our survey form 📄🖊️That’s our most powerful tool to keep bringing free events like this 🎪🎭

Link in our comments🔗

Thank you!

Photos by Sarah Hickson

Thank you for making Ensemble Festival so special! 💛How did we do? Big love to every artist, supporter and every single ...
28/07/2026

Thank you for making Ensemble Festival so special! 💛How did we do?

Big love to every artist, supporter and every single person who came to have a great time with us 🌟Ensemble Festival exists because of this amazing community🌟

As a free event, Ensemble Festival is made possible through the support of our funders and partners. One of the ways you can help us continue offering free events like this is by sharing your feedback 💬

It takes a few minutes, and you can find the form via the link in our comments🔗

Thank you and see you next year! 🤹🏼‍♂️🤹🏾‍♀️

Photos by Sarah Hickson

🎪See you this weekend at Ensemble Festival!Bring your family and friends – outdoor arts is what this summer is for ✨ ⛱️V...
24/07/2026

🎪See you this weekend at Ensemble Festival!

Bring your family and friends – outdoor arts is what this summer is for ✨ ⛱️

Visit our website for access information, performance timings, travelling options, and other useful updates.

For any questions during festival hours, you can find us at the Information Tent by the Good Hotel.

Our team will help you find your way around the festival area and point out the experiences waiting to be discovered 🤡

Ensemble Festival 2026
🔥25-26 JULY
📍 ROYAL DOCKS, E16 1FA

22/07/2026

Certain Blacks' Artistic Director Clive Lyttle in conversation with Jacqueline Shepherd at BBC Sounds about – volume up for a taster!

Clive talks about community building and place-making in East London through outdoor arts.

Listen 1 hour 40 minutes in at 📻 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002yk6s

💥The festival kicks off this weekend 💥

Ensemble Festival 2026
🔥25-26 JULY
📍 ROYAL DOCKS, E16 1FA
Full details at certainblacks.com 🔗

21/07/2026

🔥This week at Ensemble Festival🔥 Part mixtape, part confessional, all performed live with the spontaneity of an improvising band 🎸🎶

By Nigel "Kobby" Taylor and a tribute to Afrobeat legend Ebo Taylor, 'The Torch' is a beat-driven show celebrating identity, legacy and the moment you discover your own light 🔥

Head over to the waterfront at The Royal Docks to enjoy this weekend in Ensembles Festival!

📆 25-26 July
🕐 12 - 8 pm
📍 Royal Docks, E16 1FA
🔗Full line up at certainblacks.com

20/07/2026

A weekend of circus, movement, and fun across the Royal Docks! 🎪

Join us at Ensemble Festival on 25 – 26 July, from 12 pm, for performances ranging from stunning visuals to moving soundscapes✨

🔸ACCESS FOR ALL🔸

* Access performances on Sunday 26 July, including BSL interpretation and Touch Tours.

* Step-free access across the festival site.

* Accessible toilets

* All events are chilled performances

* Seating available

* Assistance Dogs welcome


Keep an eye on certainblacks.com for detailed timings and access provisions.

Questions about access? Please email [email protected] or speak to our team at the Information Tent during the festival.


📍 The Royal Docks

Address

17 Duke's Road
London
WC1H 9PY

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