“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
— Marcel Proust
Last weekend, I experienced Witches, Ballet d’Jerri’s bold new production in an intimate pop-up tent here in Jersey. Three choreographers—Katya Bourvis, Vidya Patel and Cecilia Eliceche—each offered a unique lens on the island’s witch trials. Close enough to feel every thrust and leap, the audience was invited out of its comfort zone, yet rewarded with the grace and wonder only dance can deliver.
History as a Living Backdrop
Staged at Hougue Bie—one of the world’s oldest buildings—the performance drew power from its setting. Beneath a medieval chapel (witness to real 16th-century witch hysteria) and above a WWII bunker (echoing stories of occupation), the show reminded me how stories shape and sometimes warp our understanding. In that same spirit, the Malleus Maleficarum once fanned fear through the printing press—an early form of misinformation not unlike today’s “fake news” ecosystem.
Welcoming All Viewers
I love that Witches was “pay what you can.” It’s a nudge toward accessibility, for both curious newcomers and regular patrons. Contemporary dance can feel intimidating, but you don’t need art-history credentials to engage. If a performance moves you—emotionally, viscerally—that instinct is your expertise. In my experience, no non-expert audience has ever “got it wrong.”
Why Art Matters
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
— César A. Cruz
Art isn’t just a mirror for what we know; it’s a window into the unknown parts of ourselves. It challenges, connects, and expands our view—revealing life’s nuances in vivid colour. So when you encounter art that pushes or unsettles you, lean in. Be curious. That’s where discovery happens. And trust me, it’s worth getting out of bed for.
