Photo : Gaby Merz
Don Baltha
Step into a powerful autobiographical journey where juggling meets profound social commentary. This singular performance navigates the complexities of identity and resilience through a surreal, deeply moving artistic lens.
Cirque Electrique (Paris 20th)
About
The Cirque Electrique in the 20th arrondissement presents Don Baltha on October 10th and 11th, 2026. This solo performance features artist Christian Padilla reflecting on his upbringing in Ecuador, where he was consistently cast as Balthazar in school Nativity plays due to his skin color. By blending juggling with theatrical storytelling, Padilla transforms these childhood experiences into a surreal exploration of discrimination and identity. Shows take place from 15:00 to 16:00 on both days. Tickets are required for entry, with prices ranging from 10 to 20 euros, offering a thought-provoking look at the intersection of personal narrative and social awareness.
At the age of three, Christian Padilla dressed up as Balthazar, "the Black Wise Man," for the first time... Although he would have liked to dress up as a cow, his skin and rebellious hair assigned him the role of Balthazar. Then, as if in a loop, each year, being the only Black child in his Catholic school in Ecuador, he had to play this character in the living nativity scene organized at Christmas. Over the years, this condition became a powerful force for confronting inequalities and celebrating diversity.
Starting from this autobiographical experience, Christian Padilla questions the discrimination and dehumanization of bodies and individuals by telling the surreal story of a human being, a juggler, a Black person.
Our take on this event
Don Baltha offers a deeply personal look at the life of performer Christian Padilla. Drawing from his childhood in an Ecuadorian Catholic school, Padilla revisits the repetitive experience of being typecast as Balthazar, the 'black king', in annual Nativity scenes. This early exposure to categorization serves as the foundation for a performance that challenges perceptions of race, bodies, and societal inequality through a surrealist lens.
The show is hosted at the Cirque Electrique, located at Place du Maquis du Vercors. Spectators can catch the performance on Saturday, October 10th, or Sunday, October 11th, 2026. The show runs for one hour each day, starting promptly at 15:00 and concluding at 16:00. Admission ranges from 10 to 20 euros. Whether you are interested in innovative juggling or contemporary social commentary, this piece provides a unique opportunity to witness an artist confront his past to celebrate diversity.
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