Overview

This triptych of world premieres was inspired by one of Jersey’s darkest chapters—the island’s historical witch trials. Presented at the ancient site of La Hougue Bie, this triple bill featuring work from three cutting-edge voices in the global choreographic scene unearths stories of fear, persecution, and resilience, bringing the past to life through abstract narrative.

Inspiration & Historical Significance

Between the 16th and 18th centuries, accusations of witchcraft gripped Jersey, leading to trials, imprisonments, and executions. These events were shaped by superstition, social tensions, and shifting political landscapes, leaving a lasting imprint on the island’s history. But while these trials may seem like distant history, the impulse to scapegoat, to silence, and to fear those who do not conform is far from extinct. Here at home and across the world today, "witch hunts" are still present and taking many forms, from public shaming to the policing of identity, belief, and bodily autonomy.

At its core, the idea of a witch hunt forces us to question the very nature of what it means to be right or wrong, moral or amoral, just or unfair. Who decides the truth? Who wields the power to condemn? And how easily can you be convinced which side you should be on?

La Hougue Bie, one of Europe’s most significant prehistoric sites, provides a striking and symbolic setting for this production. With its layers of history—from Neolithic ritual site to medieval chapel—it stands as a powerful reminder of how myth and belief have shaped societies for centuries.

The Choreographers

Three visionary choreographers bring their unique artistic voices to this programme, offering distinct perspectives on the Jersey witch trials:

Katya Bourvis

Known for her emotionally charged movement language, Katya’s work unflinchingly examines the female experience within the witch trials, exploring how evolving societal structures conspired to suppress women’s voices. She leans into the uncomfortable truth that even those closest to us can become complicit in systems that restrict, repress, and isolate—and that monsters can be created by those who hunt them.

Vidya Patel

Drawing from the rhythmic and narrative traditions of Kathak, Vidya’s choreography explores the deep relationship between people, their land, and their stories—specifically, the charged landscape of Jersey. We are taken on a cycle of rupture and renewal, where pain gives rise to resistance, and something indomitable emerges from loss. Rooted in nature, memory, and ancestral echoes, the work honours resilience as something both individual and collective, ever turning, ever returning.

Cecilia Eliceche

Cecilia’s unapologetically minimalistic choreography emerges from deep research and lived experience, shaped by their identity as a campesina, a mother, and a Vodou practitioner. Their work interrogates the capitalist structure that made the witch trials possible—not through spectacle, but through patient, precise embodiment. This is choreography as ritual, as resistance, as reclamation.

Artistic Consultation

Dr. Adam Perchard, a Jersey-born artist and scholar, serves as artistic consultant for the project, bringing their deep knowledge of history, language, and performance to guide the creative process. Their expertise helps ground the production in rigorous research while allowing space for poetic reinterpretation.

Pay What You Can Pricing

As a charity, Ballet d'Jerri wants to make sure that price is never a barrier for entry for our performances. If we were to charge commercially, our tickets would be priced around £100 each. Thanks to the support of our sponsors and the Government of Jersey, we can make our work accessible to everyone.

At this programme, to honour the local history that inspired it, we have elected to employ Pay-what-you-can pricing options. Please choose the price bracket that fits your budget, and if you can, consider paying a ticket forward for someone less fortunate to enjoy.

This event is for the performance on 14th June.

Other Dates:

5th June at 20:00 (VIP Premiere)

6th June at 20:00

7th June at 20:00

8th June at 14:30

11th June at 20:00

12th June at 20:00

13th June at 22:00

Venue: La Hougue Bie, Jersey

Join us as we reclaim these stories, exploring the intersection of myth, history, and movement in a production that is both deeply historical and strikingly relevant to our world today.