Photo : La Bal(l)ade de Nijinski
Nijinski's Bal(l)ade
Forget traditional theaters; this traveling stage brings an intense fusion of dance and live piano directly to the streets. Witness a hauntingly beautiful tribute to Nijinski that blends recital, monologue, and performance art into one seamless experience. It is a raw, emotional encounter that strips away artifice to leave only pure musical and narrative passion.
Paris 13th
About
Experience La Bal(l)ade de Nijinski, a unique performance inspired by the personal diaries written by the legendary dancer during his psychiatric confinement. This Châtelet theater project travels in a custom theater-truck to bring a blend of piano music and dramatic monologue to the public. Featuring pianist Guilhem Fabre and actor-dancer Bertrand de Roffignac, the show explores themes of life, death, and artistic genius. This free event takes place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 18:30 to 19:00. It is suitable for audiences aged 15 and over, and the venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
For ages 15 and up.
Nijinski's Bal(l)ade is a show based on the notebooks that Nijinski wrote while in a psychiatric hospital. As the first project of a "decentralized" Châtelet, it is performed outside the walls in a "theater-truck" that opens up to reach a new audience.
Guilhem Fabre plays Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich on the piano, and Bertrand de Roffignac, actor and dancer, embodies Nijinski. Neither a biography nor a simple concert, it is a musical poem about the artist and death, serving as a concert, recital, and monologue all in one. Modest in form (two costumes, one piano, one actor) but ambitious in its themes, it speaks to everyone through the immediate emotion of the text.
Our take on this event
La Bal(l)ade de Nijinski will be hosted at the Maison de la Vie Associative et Citoyenne in the 13th arrondissement on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. This mobile theater project breaks away from traditional venues, using a converted theater-truck to connect directly with the local community. Rather than a standard biography, the performance serves as a musical poem, drawing its power from the intimate texts Nijinski penned while in psychiatric care.
Pianist Guilhem Fabre provides the soundtrack with works by Stravinsky, Rachmaninov, and Shostakovich, while Bertrand de Roffignac brings the character of Nijinski to life through dance and monologue. The minimalist setup—a single piano, two costumes, and one performer—focuses entirely on the emotional intensity of the subject matter. The performance runs strictly from 18:30 to 19:00.
Attendance is free of charge, though reservations are required to secure your place. The event is open to spectators aged 15 and older. The venue, located at 31 rue Bobillot, is equipped for wheelchair accessibility.
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