Royal Docks Originals
Rekindling
A mesmerising fire installation featuring Compagnie Carabosse with Royal Docks communities
French fire alchemists, Compagnie Carabosse and Royal Docks communities combine to create Rekindling, an evocative fire installation on land and water. Featuring sounds, music and stories from around the docks, Rekindling will reflect on memories of the past and hopes for Royal Docks’ future.
Rekindling explores the metamorphosis of the Royal Docks. Built during the Industrial Revolution as the largest enclosed docks in the world, Royal Docks aided London’s growth as a global city. Now the area is re-emerging as a centre for enterprise, innovation and culture powered by its diverse communities, pioneering spirit, and global links.
One of France’s most important street arts groups, Compagnie Carabosse have delighted thousands of visitors across the world. Rekindling will be the company’s first visit to the capital since the London’s Burning event in 2016, which marked 350 years since the Great Fire of London. This event will be just as spectacular - don’t miss it!
ACCESS: If you have access requirements please contact us via www.royaldocks.london/about-us
Commissioned by the Royal Docks Team for Royal Docks Originals 2025
Creative Director: Jonathan Holloway
Associate Directors (Soundscape and Music): Josephine Burton and Cristina Catalina, Dash Arts
Fire artists: Compagnie Carabosse is based in Saint-Christophe-sur-Roc, Deux-Sèvres. It is supported by the French Ministry of Culture – DRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, and the Deux-Sèvres Departmental Council.
For The Record (soundscape testimonies): Eastside Community Heritage and Community Links
Soundscape: Sound Artists - James Wilkie and Marie Horner ; Dramaturg - Josephine Burton ; Violinist - Ruby Colley
For The Record contributors: Delia Barker; Andrew Christy; Bryan Collier; Sean Thomas Doyle; Alfred Ford; Kathleen Hall; Danielle Hambrook; Mary Hunt; Sandra Keith; Faisa Malek; Alan Mead; Thomas Sedgwick; Marline Walker; Jay, Alex, Ola and Joel Lees from Community Links; members of the Newham Chinese Association; ReInsTate at Tate Institute; Ascension Community Trust; From Beats to Legacy Music; Links Media College; Forest Gate Community Garden; Chatty Café at Cornerstone Community Hub; Craft & Chill Sundays with artist Momtaz Begum-Hossain at Well Bean Café; Youth Club at Britannia Village Community Hall; Women’s group at Royal Wharf Community Dock; Coffee Morning at Custom House library; Knit and Natter at Manor Park Library; Children’s & Parents at Green Street Library; Coffee Morning group at North Woolwich Library; local residents at East Ham library.
Musical creation and live performance: Aurélien Rotureau “izOReL” and Rudi Falla, featuring AURA-KL (Oracle), Byulah, Dunja Botic, £zra, Florence Laouénan, Gv, Jasmine Kahlia, Kevin Barthélemy, Kiiymm, Kirath, Louweezar, Skye, Timothy Wall, Yumi Hara, Zoot Lynam.
Event Production: Continental Drifts
For your visit
Food & Drink
Fox@ExCeL
Relaxed pub sprawling across different rooms of an old tobacco warehouse.
Activities
London Royal Docks Open Water Swimming
Swim outside year round against the historic backdrop of Royal Victoria Dock. Safety tagging included.
Art & Culture
Making Space: The People’s Plan
Large-scale artwork reproducing ‘The People’s Plan for the Royal Docks,’ a 1980s community-led project to oppose the airport.
